Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday announced a slew of sops for the government employees, including an interim relief of 27 per cent.

He also promised to scrap the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and enhance the salaries of contract workers.

Jagan Reddy, who entered the state secretariat for the first time on Saturday after taking oath as the Chief Minister on May 30, addressed the staff, urging them to join hands with the government to provide good governance to the people.

Jagan, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, was felicitated by the Secretariat Employees’ Association. They submitted a memorandum to him. Responding to this, Jagan said that all their issues included in the election manifesto of the YSR Congress Party would be discussed in the first cabinet meeting.

Amid huge applause by the employees, he assured that the long pending demand of 27 per cent interim relief will be discussed in the cabinet meeting to be held in a day or two.

“The issue of scraping the CPS will also come up in the cabinet meeting and there will be a hike in the pay of contract workers. We will also take forward the task of regularising contract workers, depending on their experience and qualification,” Jagan said.

He also said that some of the employees who must have lobbied with the leaders of the previous government need not have any doubts as he understood their position well. They had done this only to further the cause of the employees, he said amid loud cheers.

Jagan also told the heads of departments (HoDs) and other officials to always carry with them the party manifesto, which should be the guiding force for their functioning.

“They should work towards implementing the manifesto in toto. People would vote for us only if the election promises are fulfilled,” the Chief Minister added

Farmers in Andhra Pradesh will get annual financial support of Rs 12,500 each as the new YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government in the state has decided to implement the “Rythu Bharosa” scheme from October.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Thursday that the scheme, which would come into effect from October 15, will cost the state exchequer Rs 13,125 crore.

Jagan, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, took the decision at a review meeting on agriculture with top officials.

He said though the scheme was supposed to come into force from May next year, he has decided to implement it from October 15 this year.

Tenant farmers will also get the benefit under the scheme. The cash as seed capital ahead of the sowing season will be transferred directly into their bank accounts.

Jagan also announced the scrapping of the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government’s scheme “Annadata Sukhibhavaa”, which promised to provide Rs 10,000 to every farmer annually.

“Rythu Bharosa” was one of the nine major welfare schemes promised by the YSR Congress Party under its “Navarathnalu” programme.

Jagan, who led YSRCP to power with a landslide victory in the recently-held Assembly elections, also declared that the government will provide free crop insurance to all the farmers. The government will pay the full premium for the insurance scheme.

Jagan noted that farmers were in distress ever since the death of his father and former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in 2009.

Stating that the farmers will be the priority for his government, Jagan said the government was of no use if it failed to take care of the farmers.

The Chief Minister also assured the farmers that the government will take all steps to ensure minimum support price (MSP) for their produce. He said that Rs 3,000 crore will be allocated in the state budget towards the Market Stabilisation Fund to check market price fluctuations.

Jagan also announced the formation of an Agriculture Commission to bring reforms in the farm sector. The Commission will comprise experts from the agriculture sector.

He also directed the officials to set up a Calamity Fund with Rs 2,000 crore.

Taking a serious note of spurious seeds, Jagan said that strong action would be taken against those indulging in the sale of spurious seeds to the farmers. He said those resorting to such activity should be sent to jail.

When the officials suggested the need for legislation, Jagan said a bill will be passed in the Assembly to this effect if necessary.

Jagan also asked the officials to ensure that farmers were provided seeds, fertilisers and other requirements through village secretariats, which will come into force from October 2.

YS Jaganmohan Reddy has to appear before the CBI special court in Hyderabad in the multi-crore illegal assets cases every Friday. Now, he has to appear before the court on June 7 (tomorrow) which will be the first time after he became the chief minister.

However, his advocates are expecting relief to Jagan from personal appearance. The CM is fully engaged for the next two days as he has to select and induct his Cabinet ministers.

Moreover, there’s a chance to get permanent exemption from personal appearance as someone can represent him in the hearings. A petition to this effect is being filed in the High Court. They are expecting positive result as Jagan’s court attendance is above 90 per cent till now. He took permission recently to visit his daughters in London. Afterwards, there was court vacation.

CM Jaganmohan Reddy himself criticised TDP for construction of ‘Praja Vedika’ buildings in riverside at Undavalli in Amaravati capital city area. TDP used Praja Vedika for its party meetings during election. TDP President Chandrababu Naidu has requested for allotment of Praja Vedika for him towards accommodation for him in his capacity as Opposition leader.

But suddenly YCP leader Talasila Raghuram requested Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam for allotment of Praja Vedika for YCP activities. TDP leaders were surprised at this. They say that this is not correct on the part of Jagan to give such a treatment to a three-time chief minister like Naidu.

The TDP leaders are recalling how Naidu helped the YSR family when they were selling their prime property in Hyderabad in the past to repay their debts.

CM Jaganmohan Reddy is following his typical informal style even when dealing with the senior IAS officers. He is addressing the Babus as Annas during the review meetings. He is also asking the bureaucrats not to work beyond 5.30 pm.

The IAS officers are impressed with the way Jaganmohan Reddy is taking the decisions fast. His review meetings are being completed within an hour. No official meetings are being conducted after lunch.

A senior IAS officer was spellbound at the humble way in which Jagan just called him Anna to ask for some information. The last few days, the CM’s review meetings are subject of lot of discussion in the employees.

No other CM in the history of Andhra Pradesh has given such friendly and affectionate treatment to the bureaucrats. The officials and the employees are very happy over the visible change in the style of Governance.

The officials are joyous over how Jaganmohan Reddy is making clear his goals and objectives without any beating around the bush. At all the review meetings, Jagan is making one thing very clear that he will not tolerate corruption in Governance. He has told the officials openly that if he asks for favoritism in contracts, they can tell the media openly.

The straightforward talks by Jagan have gone down well with the bureaucrats who foresee a happy future for the employees. They are remembering the days when they were made to sit through long hours at review meetings and stay late into the nights.

Jagan is also drawing praise from the Babus for his quick decisions on issues like increasing Rs 250 for elders pensions which now go up to Rs 2250 per month.