Doravarisatram Mandal: Village Revenue Assistants (VRAs), who provide crucial services to the Revenue Department in rural areas, are requesting the government to provide them with fair promotions and job security. They are requesting the government to positively examine the problems of VRAs, who have been performing revenue-related duties at the village level for many years, and take an appropriate decision. They are mainly demanding that up to 70 percent promotion opportunities be provided to VRO posts from VRAs. They are also demanding that appropriate promotion opportunities be provided to categories such as Advocate Watchmen, Computer Operators and others. They are requesting the government to take steps to increase the current 20 percent promotion opportunities to 70 percent. Opportunities should be provided as per GO 2008. The rules related to the recruitment and promotion of VRO posts have been formulated in the Andhra Pradesh VRO Service Rules-2008. The amendments issued in 2008 specified that 70 percent of the VRO posts would be filled through direct recruitment and the remaining 30 percent through transfer from the relevant categories. In this context, the employee unions are demanding that the staff currently working as VRAs be given appropriate promotion opportunities in VRO posts, considering their long service. Demand for one-time settlement There is a demand that the government implement the one-time settlement policy to provide a permanent solution to the problems of VRAs. They are demanding that special orders be issued to identify eligible VRAs as VROs, considering qualifications, service, seniority, etc. There is already an example of the government relaxing the rules once for recruitment to VRO Grade-II posts from VRAs in 2008. VRAs should be recognized as regular VROs Employees are demanding that VRAs, who are available to the people at the village level and are serving in various works related to the Revenue Department, be recognized as regular VROs in recognition of their long service. They are requesting that a special promotion channel be set up based on length of service, qualifications and seniority. They are demanding that the government should specifically look into the issues of VRAs, issue clear guidelines in accordance with the 2008 Service Rules, increase the promotion quota and provide promotions to eligible staff. Keeping in mind the long-term services of VRAs, the employees are requesting that the government take a quick decision and do them justice.
