A message has been going viral on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook about a sweeper’s salary slip. A sweeper from Andhra Pradesh named Venkata Ramanamma Kola is apparently earning Rs 1,47,222 per month. She works as a sweeper cum gardener at Eastern Power Distribution Company in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh.
Venkata Ramanamma Kola is not alone, there are several other employees who work along with her in Rajamhendravaram draw more than Rs 1 lakh every month.
Many netizens did not believe this. The message would come across as fake but a review of the salaries of Class 4 workers in the Electricity Department in AP revealed that it is true. Certain reports online state that it is a result of her dedication and reforms in the company.
The reforms were made by Chandrababu government during his rule as Chief Minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.
The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Board had to go under various reforms after the state got divided. The reforms gave rise to distribution companies – Genco and Transco in regional levels. Subsequently, the reforms stirred a cause of worry among the workers after they came to know that they could not avail pension post-retirement.
To allay fears, the then government announced to hike salaries of the employees. Salaries and other increments have come as blessing to the workers. The salaries of lower-rung employees, who have years of experience, too have been hiked. Now, interestingly, the salary of chief engineer rank official gets more pay than that of the Transco CMD.
Have a look at Venkata Ramanamma’s salary slip
Venkata Ramanamma joined the electricity board as a sweeper along with her mother in 1978. The sweeper is a senior, considering her years of work in the organisation. Ramanamma comes to office at 8am on dot and logs out at 8pm.
