Andhra Pradesh electricity staff on strike demanding wage hike

Power generation and transmission were affected in Andhra Pradesh today after electricity employees went on strike demanding wage hike.
Employees of power generation and transmission corporations as well as distribution companies began their strike today to press for implementation of a wage revision, which was "due".
They held protests at offices of power utilities at different location across the state.
Power generation at the Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station in Vijayawada came down by 50 per cent today due to the strike, its Chief Engineer J Sammayya said.
Meanwhile, AP Chief Secretary P K Mohanty appealed to employees to call off their strike, since new governments would be constituted in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

"We have given it careful thought. The burden of pay revision would be to the tune of Rs 1,280 crore. So, we have requested our employees to wait for a few days, since the files would be sent to the newly-elected governments which would come into existence after June 2," Mohanty said.
"The strike will affect hospitals, railways as well as agriculture. I appeal to employees that this is not the time. Elected governments have come. It is not proper for us to take a decision now. We will discuss it with them. Just wait for a few days," he told reporters.