Vijayawada: Former APNGO Association president Nalamaru Chandrasekhar Reddy criticised the coalition government for failing to fulfil its promises to employees. Speaking to the media on Thursday, he demanded the immediate setting up of a Pay Revision Commission (PRC) and the declaration of interim relief (IR) from 1 July 2023, the due date for employees and pensioners.Reddy highlighted that the government has failed to honour nine promises made to over three lakh employees, including clearing dues amounting to Rs 26,000 crores and disbursing salaries on time. While salaries were initially paid on the first day of the month for two months, delays have since become the norm.He also deplored the lack of clarity on the promised pension scheme revision and allowances review, adding that benefits such as leave encashment, medical reimbursements, and retirement benefits are delayed, causing hardship to employees. He called for immediate action to address these issues and fulfil all nine assurances.Vijayawada customs seizes smuggled cigarettes worth Rs 1.76 croreVijayawada: Commissioner of Customs and Central Tax CGST Commissionerate, Sadhu Narasimha Reddy, announced that Vijayawada customs, in a joint operation with Guntur Anti-Evasion officers, seized 17.6 lakh smuggled cigarette sticks worth Rs 1.76 crores at Ramavarappadu in Vijayawada. The cigarettes, concealed in 88 HDPE sacks, lacked statutory health warnings, violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.The cigarettes were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and two individuals involved were arrested and remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody by the Special Judge for Economic Offences, Visakhapatnam.Reddy highlighted that, in the 2024–25 financial year, the Customs Vijayawada team has so far seized 82.6 lakh smuggled cigarette sticks worth Rs 8.26 crores. He reiterated the department’s commitment to combating smuggling, which evades duties and poses public health risks.
Source link
