RTC strike: Cong decries police action

Says TRS is not well-informed about the facts about water sharing from Nagarjunasagar

Nalgonda: Extending support to the ongoing RTC employees’ strike, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader K Jana Reddy on Saturday strongly condemned the lathi-charges and arrests of agitating RTC employees by the police in the State. Speaking at a media conference held in the residence of Congress M P Gutha Sukhendar Reddy in Nalgonda town, Jana Reddy felt that non-implementation of promise of increasing the salaries by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), had resulted in the ongoing strike.

He strongly criticised the State government for not responding even though the RTC employees’ strike had reached fourth day. “It is very unfortunate that the government is using police against the striking RTC employees instead of holding discussions to resolve the issue,” he lamented. He pointed out that people were facing inconvenience due to the RTC employees’ strike as the State-run busses went off the roads.

Referring to the stoppage of pylon construction works at Damaracharla Thermal Power Plant by local farmers, the CLP leader demanded that the government withdraw cases filed against the farmers who participated in the protest. He said that the local farmers might have resorted to such action with an apprehension that the project might be executed without paying compensation to them.

The senor Congress leader found fault with the government authorities for taking up pylon construction works without announcing compensation to the farmers who were losing their lands due to the construction of thermal power plant. He pointed out that majority of the displaced families belonged to SCs and tribals. He underlined the need to complete the thermal power project with the cooperation of local people. However, the Congress was not against Damaracharla Thermal Power Plant.

But, the government should extend compensation and job to one in each family that would lose their lands due to the project. Strongly condemning the statements of the TRS leaders that water from Nagarjunasagar project to second crop was not provided in the district in the last 48years, Jana Reddy said such statements were indicating the lack of knowledge of TRS leaders on irrigation. He made it clear that except four times, irrigation to two crops were provided through Nagarjunasagar.

He also informed that the tour of AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi to the State was put off to May 14 and 15 due to Parliament sessions. The AICC vice president would take up marathon in Narmal area of Adilabad district. The tour of Rahul Gandhi was aimed at consoling the families of farmers, who committed suicides and to study the condition of farmers in the State. He reiterated his demand that the State government pay ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to each family of farmers who committed suicides.

When questioned, the CLP leader informed that the party high command was discussing the the name of probable MLC candidates for MLAs quota elections. It had not yet came to a decision on the candidates. He did not respond to a question that if any party leader from Nalgonda district would get the opportunity in the elections. Nalgonda MP Gutha Sukhendar Reddy and former M P Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy were also present.