Hyderabad: Former military personnel serving as marshals in the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) have boycotted their duties in protest against a recent salary reduction, raising concerns about potential disruptions to monsoon emergency operations.

Why Marshals are protesting

The state government issued a Government Order (GO) standardizing salaries for outsourcing employees, fixing marshal pay at Rs 22,500. Previously, HYDRAA marshals were receiving Rs 7000 higher salaries, and the reduction has sparked outrage. The protesting marshals handle critical duties, including monitoring emergency monsoon response teams and operating control rooms.If the protest continues, flood monitoring, emergency coordination, and disaster response could be affected.

In a statement released by HYDRAA, it said, “HYDRAA Commissioner A V Ranganath held talks with senior officials to address the issue. Officials assured marshals that their salaries will not be reduced, and their previous pay scale will be maintained. Salaries have been credited at the old rates today, easing tensions for now.”

Further statement read, "HYDRAA Prajavani (public service) continues uninterrupted. While the GO on salary reduction exists, the Commissioner has intervened to ensure no pay cuts for marshals. Control room operations are functioning normally."