Erragadda TB centre staff demand action against senior officer over ‘harassment’

Hyderabad: In a dramatic display of solidarity, employees, along with representatives from the Telangana Non-Gazetted Officers’ Union (TNGOS), gathered in front of the Tuberculosis Training and Demonstration Centre (State TB Centre) in Erragadda to protest against ‘persistent harassment’ by district TB control officer Kalpana Kante.

The protest, organised under the leadership of DTCO Unit president Latifuddin, unfolded during the lunch break on Thursday and included the display of placards and the chanting of slogans.

The demonstration also saw participation from TNGO Hyderabad District president Syed Majidullah Hussaini (Mujeeb), who expressed his support for the protesting employees. Addressing the gathering, Hussaini emphasised that the alleged harassment by Kalpana Kante had escalated in recent times, causing severe issues for some employees.

One worker reportedly suffered a heart attack and required hospitalisation, while others fell ill due to the stress inflicted upon them. Notably, similar incidents of harassment were reported in Kamareddy in the past, involving the same officer, he said. Despite being transferred to the State TB Centre in Erragadda, the alleged mistreatment of employees is said to have continued unabated.

The protesters presented a clear demand for immediate action against Kalpana, expressing their determination to continue their demonstrations until their concerns are addressed. They have issued a stern warning that if the government fails to respond adequately to their grievances, they will escalate their protest efforts in the coming days.

Umar Khan, vice president of the TNGOs Union, shed light on various other issues faced by the employees, including the denial of salary increments and refusals to sign bus pass requests.

He also mentioned ongoing problems related to the General Provident Fund (GPF) and discrepancies in holiday entitlements.