In a sensational development, the Telangana government led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy ordered termination of 6,729 employees working on a contract basis.
Telangana Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari issued fresh orders removing several contract employees, ranging from attenders to retired IAS officers, and directed that the process be completed by the end of this month.
Among those removed are Metro Rail MD NVS Reddy, Yadagirigutta Temple Development Authority (YTDA) Vice Chairman G. Kishan Rao, Consultant Engineer BLN Reddy, as well as directors of Transco and Genco.
The government clarified that if the services of any of the terminated employees are required, they can be reappointed through fresh notifications.
Following the Chief Secretary's orders, the Municipal Administration Department has begun immediate action.
Municipal Administration Principal Secretary Dana Kishore issued orders on Thursday to remove 177 retired employees working on a contract basis in the department.
The list includes retired officials from HMDA, GHMC, Hyderabad Water Works, Metro Rail, KUDA, YTDA, RERA, and MEPMA.
The removed employees include retired IAS officers, RDOs, DFVOs, engineers, technical experts, municipal commissioners, deputy collectors, forest range officers, section officers, MROs, chief engineers, and assistant engineers.
The Chief Secretary's orders also specify that if the services of these retired employees are needed again, fresh recruitments should be conducted.
However, secretariat sources suggest that only about 100 out of the 6,729 terminated employees may be reappointed.
Reports indicate that NVS Reddy, who has overseen the Metro Rail project since its inception, might be given another opportunity.
Only a few retired employees with technical expertise are likely to be reappointed, while most of them may not have a chance.