BJP backs striking OU employees, seeks talks with varsity authorities

Telangana BJP president N. Ramachandar Rao on Wednesday demanded that the State government and Osmania University (OU) authorities immediately hold talks with striking non-teaching employees and address their long-pending demands.

Visiting the employees’ protest camp in front of the Osmania University Administrative Building, Mr. Rao expressed solidarity with the protesting staff, including non-teaching, technical, time-scale and contractual employees. The protesters are seeking implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), regularisation of services, better healthcare benefits and resolution of other service-related issues.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Rao said it was unfortunate that university employees had been forced to launch an agitation to secure what he described as their legitimate rights. Recalling his association with the university, he said he had completed his post-graduation at Osmania University before entering public life and noted that his father had served and retired from the institution as a professor.

The BJP leader criticised the university administration for what he termed its indifferent attitude towards the employees’ grievances. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had upheld the principle of “equal pay for equal work” and questioned why benefits available to employees in other universities were not being extended to staff in Osmania University.

Mr. Rao also raised concerns over the alleged non-payment of annual increments due to employees and sought immediate corrective action. He demanded restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for employees appointed between 2001 and 2004 and implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for those recruited after 2004.

He further called for an increase in employees’ medical reimbursement limit from ₹10,000 to ₹30,000 and urged the university to clear pending internal promotions and fill vacant posts across departments without delay.