Latest news with #AgriculturalWorkers'Union
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh farmers' unions accuse governments of illegal land grabs
Farmers' and agricultural workers' unions in Andhra Pradesh have accused both the previous YSRCP regime and the current TDP-led coalition of unlawfully acquiring 1,91,472 acres of fertile, multi-crop farmland over the past decade, bypassing provisions of the 2013 Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Act. At a statewide public discussion held here on Sunday, the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham and Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers' Union brought together High Court lawyers, displaced families, and movement leaders to highlight what they called 'a decade of illegal land grabs' in 173 villages across 64 mandals in 18 districts. They alleged that police force was misused to seize land, causing severe damage to the State's economy, cutting rural jobs, and threatening future food grain security. While emphasising they were 'not against development,' the unions condemned the transfer of forcibly acquired land to corporates without fair compensation or proper rehabilitation. The unions listed major projects — from airports and highways to steel plants, solar parks, SEZs, ports, and the Amaravati capital region — which they claimed diverted nearly 20% of the State's cultivated land for corporate use without delivering the promised jobs or industrial growth. They further alleged that in some cases 'not even 10 government jobs' were offered to displaced people, while locals in Amaravati's Secretariat were given only low-paying roles such as watchmen and sweepers. In areas where farmers' organisations resisted, land acquisition failed, they said, while in other places compensation has been pending for decades, citing Polavaram oustees as an example. The groups demanded that the Centre and the State strictly follow the 2013 Act, ensuring farmland for industries is acquired only with farmers' consent and after full compensation and rehabilitation. They warned against further forcible acquisitions for corporates and investors, urging lawful and transparent processes. V. Krishnayya, State president, Rythu Sangham; K. Prabhakar Reddy, State secretary, Rythu Sangham; D. Subba Rao, State president, Agricultural Workers' Union; and V. Venkateswarlu, State general secretary, Agricultural Workers' Union, addressed the meeting.
Hans India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Telangana Farmers' Assn calls for rural Bharat Bandh on May 20
Hyderabad: Senior leaders of the Telangana Farmers' Association, Sarampalli Mallareddy and State General Secretary T Sagar, have called for a rural Bharat Bandh to be held on May 20, inspired by May Day. Addressing, after hoisting the flag marking the occasion of the May Day at the Telangana Farmers' Association state office, they said that while they fought for an eight-hour workday, the current Modi government has legally allowed workers to toil for up to 13 hours under new labour codes. They also expressed their disappointment over the government's failure to deliver on the promise to enact the Minimum Support Price Act during Modi's tenure. Furthermore, they criticised the Electricity Amendment Act, claiming it has caused significant injustice to poor and middle-class individuals in the agricultural sector. The leaders accused the BJP government of plotting to undermine employment by reducing funding for the Rural Employment Guarantee Act. They asserted that the government is attempting to abolish the democratic rights and laws outlined in the Constitution. They also pointed out that the Modi administration has failed to control rising prices, resulting in declining living standards for citizens, and emphasised the lack of increase in minimum wages. They urged people to make successful the nationwide rural bandh on May 20, and to protest against the policies of the Modi government. B Venkat, the National General Secretary of the Agricultural Workers' Union, Paladugu Bhaskar, the State General Secretary of CITU, R Venkatramulu, the State General Secretary of the Telangana Agricultural Workers' Union, along with Vice Presidents of the Farmers' Union Bonthala Chandra Reddy and Aribandi Prasad Rao, and others participated in the programme.
