Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has once again proved to be a shrewd politician. It was evident from the way he trapped the State government employees with one quick idea and gained their massive support.
During the negotiations on pay revision, the officials told the Chief Minister that if the government goes by the PRC recommendation for 29 per cent hike, the burden on the government would be around Rs 3,500 crore.
Then he called the TNGO leaders for talks and asked them to what extent they would come down from their original demand for 60 per cent hike, so that there would be no unrest among the employees.
The leaders told KCR that they would be extremely happy, if the pay revision fitment is fixed at 41 per cent. They assured that the employees would not resort to any protests if the governments agrees to this figure and moreover, they would offer sweets to the Chief Minister.
KCR sent the TNGO leaders out of the meeting and asked officials as to what would be the burden on the government, if the fitment is 41 per cent. They calculated that it would be around Rs 6,000 crore. Then, KCR came out with a sudden idea. He asked the officials to announce 43 per cent fitment to the employees and offset the additional loss to the exchequer by increasing VAT on petrol and diesel.
And it was a pleasant surprise to the TNGO leaders, when KCR announced at the press conference that the pay hike would be 43 per cent, as they were mentally prepared for only 41 per cent. Naturally, there were jubilations all around and with one stroke, KCR got an overwhelming support from all the employees!
