Latest news with #ChunduriRangarao
Hans India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Need for awareness of Constitution stressed
Ongole: The speakers at the programme, 'Indian Constitution- Minimum Awareness' and prize distribution for the elocution competition held in Ongole on Saturday, emphasised that the Indian constitution guarantees freedom, equality, and empowerment, but the people with no awareness of it are losing them one by one. Prakasam Zilla Abhivriddhi Vedika president and Samyukt Kisan Morcha district convener Chunduri Rangarao presided over the meeting that was held by the Prakasam Zilla Abhivriddhi Vedika, Organisation for Protection of Democratic Rights, Democratic Rights Protection Forum, and other public fronts, and in which former Chief Information Commissioner Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu, former Agriculture Minister and state convener for Samyukt Kisan Morcha Vadde Sobhanadriswara Rao participated as the chief guests. Addressing the gathering, Sridhar Acharyulu expressed concern that many Indians still lack basic constitutional knowledge and are confused over the celebrations of Independence Day and Republic Day. He noted that Dr BR Ambedkar enshrined equal rights, freedom, and liberty for all citizens in the Constitution, but ruling parties make amendments according to their preferences. He criticised the attempt of the Election Commission to delete 65 lakh votes in Bihar and appreciated the Supreme Court intervention. He questioned the fate of democracy in the State when the locals are forced not to use their right to vote. He warned the youth to keep track of their vote and exercise their right to elect only people with no criminal background. He highlighted economic inequality, stating that while a few corporate forces accumulate wealth worth lakhs of crores, the majority's economic situation deteriorates significantly. Former Agriculture Minister Sobhanadriswara Rao emphasised that constitutional awareness helps citizens understand both their rights and duties. He criticised rulers for trampling the constitution while allowing corporate forces to exploit national resources. He noted that 48 percent of national wealth is concentrated among 21 corporate entities. Rangarao observed that the makers of the constitution wanted everyone in the country to prosper with development, education, and opportunities, but this was not achieved even after 79 years of Independence. He said that though people are educated now, they do not have the minimum understanding of their constitutional rights and duties. That is why, he opined, the rulers are infringing on the rights of the public. Other speakers, Retired Degree College principal Sanku Manorama, Senior Advocate Panguluri Govindaiah, OPDR president Chavali Sudhakar, Chunchu Seshaiah, and others observed that the constitution is in crisis now. They said that the rulers are promoting religious patriotism while endangering secularism in the country. They said that the people claiming themselves as public servants were torturing the public, and are even pressuring the judges. They said that though the constitution is not comprehensive, the fundamental rights are still able to protect the public. The seminar concluded with the prize distribution for the winners of the elocution competition, which was held from July 20. Saisri from Addanki GGH School won first prize, Farhan from Markapur ZPHS secured second place, and M Nandini from Etamukkala ZPHS received third prize, along with several consolation prizes from others.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Police obstruct farmers' ‘Quit Corporate' rally
Ongole: Police authorities obstructed a farmers' demonstration organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Trade Unions Joint Forum here on Wednesday, citing restrictions under Section 30 of the Police Act. The 'Quit Corporate - Quit Agriculture' rally was intended to protest against the corporatisation of agriculture and demand implementation of the MS Swaminathan Commission recommendations. SKM District convener Chunduri Rangarao led farmers from various organisations, including Andhra Pradesh Raithu Sangham, AP Rythu Sangham, Akhila Bharata Rythu Coolie Sangham, Kisan Congress, CPM, and Congress Party, who arrived at Mini Stadium with tractors, motorcycles, and flags at 10 AM. Following the obstruction by the police, the organisers converted the rally into a protest. Speaking at the event, Rangarao criticised the BJP government for benefiting corporate interests while suppressing democratic rights. He reminded the gathering that they had democratically opposed Chandrababu Naidu's arrest when he was the opposition leader, questioning why the current government was now acting autocratically against democratic voices. Rangarao said that the farmers of the country are now calling for the 'Quit Corporate' against the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the farmers, and to present the agriculture in the country to the corporate companies. AP Rythu Sangham district secretary Pamidi Venkatrao questioned why the central government could waive Rs 16 lakh crore in corporate loans but refused to waive farmers' debts. He warned that attempts to suppress movements would lead to the same fate as previous governments. CPM district secretary Sk Mabu alleged the government was implementing agricultural laws through backdoor methods, specifically criticising the allocation of 8348 acres of valuable farmland to Indosol company. Other speakers, including Hanuma Reddy, Chittipati Venkateswarlu, and Sk Saida, condemned the government's double standards, pointing out that ruling party events don't require Section 30 clearance. Other leaders warned that suppressing public concerns through force would inevitably lead to public backlash against the government.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Quit Corporates' rally on Aug 13
Ongole: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha various farmers associations, and trade unions have called for a 'Quit Corporates' rally in Ongole on August 13, against the Central government's decisions to allegedly hand over agriculture in India to corporate companies, said SKM Prakasam district convener Chunduri Rangarao. Speaking at a meeting with the farmers, farmworkers associations and trade unions presided by the AP Rythu Sangam district president G Jayanthi Babu here on Sunday, Rangrao observed that the Indian National Congress has given the call for 'Quit India' against British Imperialism. The farmers of the country are now calling for the 'Quit Corporates' against the policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the farmers, and to present the agriculture in the country to the corporate companies. He said that the members of the associations and the unions who participated in the meeting unanimously passed a resolution to conduct a massive tractor and motorbike rally from the Mini Stadium to the Addanki Bus Stand, on August 13, raising slogans against the decisions of the Union government. Akhila Bharata Rythu Coolie Sangham state general secretary Chittipati Venkateswarlu, All India Kisan Mazdoor Sangh leader Koduru Hanumantha Rao, AP Rythu Coolie Sangham district secretary K Lalitha Kumari, Kisan Congress leader Kondrugunta Subbarao, CITU district vice-president GV Kondareddy, Congress leader Shaik Saida, Irigineni Venkata Narasaiah, and others participated in the meeting.
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Elocution competition on Indian Constitution from July 20
Ongole: Prakasam Zilla Abhivriddhi Vedika president Chunduri Rangarao announced that in association with Organisation for Protection of Democratic Rights, Constitutional Rights Protection Forum, and other public fronts, they are conducting an elocution competition on Constitution of India, from July 20 to 26 in Ongole, to educate citizens about their fundamental rights and responsibilities. Speaking at a press conference in Ongole on Friday, Rangarao emphasised that every citizen must develop awareness about the Constitution and protect the rights and responsibilities it guarantees. He highlighted that the Indian Constitution, crafted under Dr BR Ambedkar's leadership and implemented on January 26, 1950, is the world's finest constitution after studying the constitutions of various countries. He described the Constitution as India's 'Dharma Sastra', and noted that all Indian citizens are duty-bound to accept it. Chunduri Rangarao, OPDR AP president; Chavali Sudhakar, PTSU AP vice president; Rajasekhar, and others explained that the elocution competition will be held in students and youth categories, from July 20 to 26, between 10 am and 2 pm, at Media Cameramen Association Bhavan, in Devudu Cheruvu, Ongole. They informed that there is a cash prize of Rs 10,000 for first, second, and third positions, along with 10 consolation prizes and prize distribution will be held in August first week, with retired Central Information Commission Commissioner Madabhushi Sridhar as the chief guest. The organisers encouraged maximum participation in the competition to ensure the program's success. They emphasized that awareness of the Constitution at the student level is crucial for the nation's comprehensive development.
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Farmers demand fair price for black burley tobacco
Ongole: Samyukt Kisan Morcha Prakasam district convener Chunduri Rangarao demanded fair prices for black burley tobacco farmers in the state. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha organised a meeting on the crisis in black burley tobacco cultivation, with the farmers at the Mallaiah Lingam Bhavan here on Thursday. Speaking at the meeting, Rangarao, who has twice served as a Tobacco Board member, expressed anger over tobacco merchants' exploitative practices against farmers. He revealed that while black burley tobacco was purchased at around Rs 15,000 per quintal last year, this year merchants are buying it for only Rs 3,000-4,000. When questioned about this drastic price drop, he said that the merchants give misleading excuses, claiming farmers cultivated excessive areas and citing low international demand for burley tobacco. Rangarao also extended support to Virginia tobacco farmers facing similar exploitation. He accused certain so-called farmer leaders of acting as broker-agents for tobacco merchants, prioritising commissions over farmers' interests. He warned that unless Virginia tobacco farmers wake up and organise for controlled cultivation, they will continue facing severe losses and offered to help lead a unified struggle for fair prices. President of Nallamada Farmers' Association Dr Kolla Rajamohan said that about 80 pe rcent of burley tobacco growers are SC, ST, and other marginalised communities who work as tenant farmers. He observed that many poor agricultural labourers entered farming after seeing last year's promising prices, taking loans at high interest rates and pawning gold to finance cultivation. Now, company representatives are blaming these same farmers for overproduction while conspiring to purchase their tobacco at extremely low prices, he added. The farmers' leaders called for united resistance against corporate company tactics and announced plans to submit memoranda to MLAs, MPs, and district ministers from April 26 to 30. They also plan to meet with burley tobacco farmers and prepare for a 'Chalo Chief Minister's Office' programme on May 5. Representatives of multiple farmers' associations criticised the government for standing with traders rather than farmers during the marketing season. They noted that burley tobacco is widely cultivated across ninedistricts in the state and can compete with Virginia tobacco in quality.
