
Major trade unions oppose Centre's new labour policies in Vijayawada
Carrying red flags, protesters demanded repeal of the labour codes, a minimum wage of `26,000, abolition of the 10‑hour workday, and withdrawal of agricultural market reforms, declaring solidarity with farmers.
The meeting was chaired by AITUC city secretary Mooli Sambasiva Rao and CITU NTR district vice‑president K Durga Rao. Speakers included former minister Vadde Sobhanadheeswara Rao, AITUC state president Ravulapalli Ravindranath, and CITU state president A V Nageswara Rao. They accused the BJP‑led Union government of enacting laws that favour large corporations while ignoring workers' and farmers' welfare.
Union leaders warned of larger agitations if the codes are not scrapped, vowing to 'continue the fight until workers' rights are restored.' They urged employees across sectors to join a united struggle, arguing that the government's pro‑corporate agenda threatens livelihoods and undermines social justice.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Cong's ‘appeasement' politics led to Partition: Adityanath
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that the 1947 Partition was a dark chapter 'born out of appeasement politics of the Congress party' that shattered Sanatan Bharat's unity and inflicted deep wounds on the nation. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya, and others at the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day exhibition in Lucknow on Thursday. (HT Photo) He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reviving this forgotten history by declaring August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in 2021. 'Today, the entire country mourns, remembering the horrors of August 14, 1947,' Adityanath said while inaugurating an exhibition on the occasion at GPO Park in Hazratganj. Continuing his attack, Adityanath said that while revolutionaries willingly embraced martyrdom for India's freedom, the Congress divided the nation in its 'greed for power'. 'The Congress's policies led to the ethnic cleansing of Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists in places like Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan in West Pakistan,' the chief minister said., 'The violence claimed 15-20 lakh lives and displaced crores, marking one of the darkest episodes in history,' he added. He further accused the then Congress government of showing complete apathy towards those displaced. 'No memorials were built and no museums were established in remembrance of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who were forced to leave their ancestral homes. Their suffering was erased from public memory,' Adityanath said. He praised PM Modi for granting citizenship and rehabilitation rights to refugees through the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), noting that for the first time, displaced people in Jammu and Kashmir and other regions received citizenship and began contributing to India's development. 'The Congress never made any sincere effort for their rehabilitation,' the CM said. Paying homage to the victims, Adityanath announced that the state government will provide land on leases and full rehabilitation to eligible families under the CAA. 'We are committed to protecting their rights and ensuring their dignity,' he affirmed. Emphasising the importance of connecting the younger generation with history, Adityanath said the exhibition portrays the grim reality of Partition, the massacres, riots, and forced migrations. 'Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, this initiative is healing old wounds and awakening future generations to historical truths.' the CM said. Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, cabinet minister Swatantra Dev Singh, and BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary among others were present on the occasion.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
States seek more urea; Centre says supply exceeds requirement this season
Several states participating in a virtual meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday demanded additional urea to meet growing demand. The minister directed them to take strict action against hoarders and black marketers, stating that the Centre is supplying more fertiliser than required by the states this season. He also urged states to accurately map fertiliser requirements for the forthcoming rabi sowing season. 'There could be two main reasons for the increased demand for urea: first, an increase in the sowing of rice, maize, and other crops due to good rainfall; second, possible misuse of urea for non-agricultural purposes,' Chouhan said. He added that if the demand is genuinely for farming needs, urea will certainly be supplied, and the ministry is working promptly on this. However, if there is any suspicion of misuse, it will be treated as a serious matter, inviting strict action. Chouhan urged all state agriculture ministers to ensure proper use of urea by forming monitoring committees and strengthening oversight mechanisms to track fertiliser distribution and prevent non-agricultural use. The minister said the next rabi conference will be held in Delhi on 15–16 September. On the first day, central and state government officials will draw up a roadmap for rabi crops and discuss seed and fertiliser availability for the season. He added that an action plan for the agriculture sector for the next five years will be prepared, with suggestions from progressive farmers and experts, during the next phase of the 'Vikshit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', which will start on 3 October after Dussehra. Chouhan also announced that no permission will be granted for the sale of bio-stimulants until they are scientifically verified. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the much-talked-about Natural Agriculture Mission from Delhi on 23 August.


The Hindu
26 minutes ago
- The Hindu
BJP accuses Congress govt. of ‘smear campaign' against Dharmasthala, Heggade
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday questioned the manner in which the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was conducting a probe into the alleged case of mass burials at Dharmasthala and accused the Congress government of a 'smear campaign' against the Dharmasthala temple and its pattadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade. Former Minister V. Sunil Kumar, who initiated the debate in the Legislative Assembly, alleged that under the pretext of the probe, the government had 'hatched a conspiracy' to spread falsehood against Hindu dharma and the place. Not a single FIR had been filed despite hundreds of social media posts 'slandering' the temple, Shri Manjunatha Swamy, and Dr. Heggade, he said, and questioned the government's silence. There had been a deliberate smear campaign by certain individuals and the government's apparent sympathy towards them has raised suspicion, the BJP leader claimed. Stating that no one was opposing justice for Soujanya, who was murdered in 2012, he said some YouTubers, in the name of freedom of expression, were attacking religious beliefs. The BJP member questioned the government's 'agenda' behind the probe and suspected the role of the INDIA bloc and the Congress high command in the entire episode. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, members S. Suresh Kumar, Araga Jnanendra, B.Y. Vijayendra, Harish Poonja, S.R. Vishwanath, Aravind Bellad (all BJP), and Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal spoke against the government and demanded continuation of SIT probe to identify the people, organisations, and alleged source of funding behind the 'smear campaign' against the temple. Mr. Suresh Kumar claimed the SIT had 'no common sense' and it has been dancing to the tunes of the complainant. Mr. Ashok claimed there was 'a gang' behind the complaint and it had put pressure on the Chief Minister to order the probe. Terming the mask-wearing person (the complainant) as 'Spiderman' who had been enjoying all privileges and was provided security, he said lakhs of taxpayers' money had been spent on the digging. He demanded a NIA probe to nab groups supporting the complainant and sponsoring the 'smear campaign'. Mr. Poonja, who represents Belthangady, demanded that the SIT report be made public. Mr. Jnanendra said the police should have conducted a preliminary probe of the complainant before starting the digging. Mr. Yatnal warned a 'Ayodhya-like movement will be launched' if the government did not stop. All BJP members demanded a halt on the social media posts, a narco test of the complainant, and tabling of the interim probe report. SIT probe aimed at revealing truth: Home Minister In reply to the Opposition's remarks against the government, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the probe 'should not take a political or a dharmic turn.' In a terse reply to the Opposition, he said: 'We have not formed SIT under any pressure. The probe is aimed at unearthing the truth and ensuring justice. We have huge respect for Dharmasthala.' The government has given a free hand to the SIT and action would be taken against any persons who launch false campaigns. He noted the rural development and women empowerment projects, education provided to lakhs of students by trusts headed by the pattadhikari and asked BJP members: 'Don't you need a probe for Dr. Heggade to come clean? Truth will come out as per the framework of the law.' The Home minister is expected to provide a detailed reply on Monday.