Release sand seigniorage funds: MLA Pendurthi Venkatesh

Rajamahendravaram: Tension prevailed at sub-collector's office for two hours here on Wednesday when Rajanagaram TDP MLA Pendurthi Venkatesh staged a protest demanding the sub-collector to release Rs 6.5 crore sand seigniorage funds for various development works in Rajanagaram Assembly constituency.

When sub-collector C M Saikanth Varma came to the office in his car, the followers of MLA and Pendurthi Venkatesh, who were staging dharna at the main gate, raised slogans demanding to release funds for development works in their constituency. But, sub-collector, who was in his car, left the place without calling the MLA, which irked him and his followers.

After that the police entered the scene and shifted the MLA to Three town police station, where the MLA continued his protest. Later, at 3 pm, the police again brought the MLA in their car to the sub-collector' office. Later, the MLA continued his protest sitting at the main gate till evening.

Speaking to The Hans India, the MLA said he came to sub-collector’s office to protest the attitude of officials for not releasing funds for development works in the constituency but releasing funds for construction of government offices.

“Though a ruling party MLA registering protest at his office, the sub-collector not even got down from his car and enquired about the issue and returned,” the MLA said and alleged the police behaved rudely with me and my supporters. Venkatesh said the protest would be intensified from Thursday or Friday after discussing with party men and added he would take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister.