KCR scraps VRA system; to regularise employment, adjust staff in other depts

HYDERABAD: In a historic decision putting an end to the feudalistic symbols of Neerati, Maskuru, Lushkar and Shakasindhi, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on Sunday announced the scrapping of the Village Revenue Assistant (VRA) system. The VRAs would now be absorbed in the supernumerary posts created in the Revenue department itself.

The Chief Minister said that the VRAs based on their qualifications would be adjusted as permanent employees in Municipalities, Mission Bhagirtha and Irrigation departments as per the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-committee appointed to look into the matter. The CM directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to issue orders in this regard on Monday.

He emphasized that Governments should take decisions in tune with the people's needs and social evolution. It was the responsibility of the governments to provide job security to government employees working in the sectors which fade out from time to time, KCR pointed out.

Chief Minister KCR held a high-level review meeting on the regularization, adjustment and stabilization of VRAs in the state at the State Secretariat. Speaking on this occasion, he said that the VRA system came into existence to look after Village revenues and other needs during the period when agriculture and irrigation wings were developed. The decades-old system had been transformed into today's VRAs.

Praising the self-sacrificing service of the VRAs who have been doing social service for generations, he said that the system lost its relevance. “The Government always takes decisions from a humane perspective for those who work for the welfare of the society with sacrifices and hard work at the grassroots level,” KCR said.

Announcing that the Government has enhanced the salaries of the working group without any demand from the community, he said that the Government accorded the highest priority to the dignity of labour - 'Safayi anna Niku Salamanna', (Hats off to sanitation workers), the Chief Minister added.

Meanwhile, the VRA JAC leaders thanked Chief Minister for appointing them as permanent employees enhancing their self-respect. They said they were indebted to Chief Minister.

Chief Minister said that 20,555 VRAs were working across the state. “Some of them are illiterates, some have passed the seventh standard, and a few completed degrees and higher studies. The Government will determine the job categories based on their educational qualification. They will be appointed in the respective departments as per the rules,” KCR declared. He directed Principal Secretary to Revenue Department Naveen Mittal to take action, finalise the procedures, and issue orders on Monday.

The Chief Minister decided to provide Government jobs to the kin of VRAs who attained 61 years and above under compassionate appointments. The CM also announced that government jobs would also be given to one of the family members of VRAs who died before attaining the age of 61 years while performing duties for any reason after 2nd June 2014.

The VRA JAC leaders were requested to compile the details of the deceased VRA's family members and their educational qualifications at the earliest. They would be adjusted in the government jobs in the respective departments based on their qualifications and the rules.