Ex-servicemen decry Rs 7,000 pay reduction; commissioner assures no deductions
Hyderabad: Following a government order from the finance department reducing salaries for HYDRAA employees, marshals and Disaster Response Force (DRF) staff staged a protest on Monday at HYDRAA’s office premises, threatening to resign from their positions. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, the marshals explained they were hired by GHMC through the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (APWO) for enforcement vigilance & disaster management (EV&DM) in March 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ninety-three ex-military servicemen were selected and initially paid Rs 22,500 per month. This was increased by 30 per cent in 2022 to Rs 29,250. After HYDRAA’s formation, the marshals were transferred to the agency. The marshals perform various duties under HYDRAA, including Disaster Response Force work, control room operations, lake and park surveillance, 24x7 lake rejuvenation, demolition tasks, removal of illegal advertisements and hoardings, SLBC tunnel rescue and Ganesh immersion support.
“We received a government order dated August 5 reducing our salaries by Rs 7,000, bringing it down from Rs 29,250 to Rs 22,750. Instead of increasing pay, the government is cutting it, which makes no sense,” complained Simhachalam, a marshal. “We work overtime, endure physical strain, and often face disrespect and harsh behaviour. Now our pay is cut. That is why we have decided to collectively resign,” he said.
The marshals noted that in other states, ex-servicemen earn between Rs 32,000 and Rs 35,000, with special packages and financial provisions for DRF personnel benefiting marshals. After the protest, HYDRAA commissioner A. V. Ranganath met with the staff and assured them their salaries would be adjusted and no deductions would occur.
Speaking to the media, the commissioner said, “I have spoken with the principal secretary of the finance department and the secretary of MA&UD. We will ensure everyone receives their designated salary. We will also study pay structures in other states and submit proposals to the government.”
Addressing allegations of disrespect and misconduct toward ex-servicemen, Ranganath added, “We will take action, but we need specific complaints. Rather than generalise, if individuals come forward with details, we will respond accordingly.”
