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Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Mass protest demanding withdrawal of GO
Vijayawada: A Maha Dharna organised by the RTC (Road Transport Corporation) Land Protection Committee, drew a large crowd of activists, workers, and citizens here on Wednesday. Speakers at the rally called for the cancellation of GO 137, which proposes to lease 4.17 acres of valuable RTC land to the Lulu Group, a multinational company. The land is estimated to be worth around Rs 400 crore. Protesters argued that the government's decision to lease it for a significantly reduced annual rent of Rs 2 crore, down from an estimated Rs 40 crore, is unjust and corrupt. During the protest, various leaders and speakers raised strong objections and issued warnings to the government. RTC Land Protection Committee Convener and noted lawyer Sunkara Rajendra Prasad warned that the committee will not remain silent if this 'social asset' is looted. He declared, 'If the RTC old bus stand land is handed over to the Lulu company, the court will strike down the GO.' Chigurupati Babu Rao, state committee member of the CPM, announced a unified struggle with broad support to protect not only the RTC land but also other public spaces like the Visakhapatnam beach land. Ch Narsing Rao, General Secretary of the CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions), emphasised that the only way to protect these lands is through public movements. Former minister and state convenor of the Farmers' Unions Federation Coordination Committee, Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, spoke at the event stating that the decision to give the land to the Lulu company goes against the law and public opinion. He cited the court's earlier decision to strike down the previous government's 'three capitals' plan as an example of similar actions being overturned. He questioned why the government would lease the land for such a low rate, suggesting a secret deal. Other speakers, including D Kasi Nath (CPM), G Koteswara Rao (CPI), Sk Jilani Basha (SWF), YS Rao (Employees Union), and Konakalla Vidyadhara Rao (Chamber of Commerce), also voiced their opposition. They argued that the move would harm small and medium-scale businesses in the city and that the government has no right to sell off public property. They further warned that if GO 137 is not withdrawn, the trade and commerce associations would call for a bandh in Vijayawada. The protest concluded with slogans demanding the cancellation of GO 137, the protection of RTC lands, and a halt to the government's 'land hunger.' The event was presided over by Sunkara Rajendra Prasad and saw participation from various unions, prominent citizens, and activists.
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Round-table vows to fight against old bus stand land transfer
Vijayawada: A united movement is brewing in Vijayawada against the State government's decision to hand over the Old Bus Stand land to Lulu Group. A roundtable meeting organised by the Vijayawada Civic Forum (Poura Vedika) resolved to continue protests until Government Order (GO) No 137, which facilitates this transfer, is rescinded. As part of this resolve, a dharna is slated for August 6 at the Old Bus Stand. The meeting also announced the formation of an 'RTC Assets Protection Committee,' with Sunkara Rajendra Prasad (SRP), national working president of AILU, elected as its convener. This proposal was put forth by Donepudi Kasinath, State leader of AP Urban Citizens Federation and unanimously approved by the attendees. The roundtable, held at Balotsav Bhavan in Vijayawada on Thursday, was presided over by MV Anjaneyulu, secretary of the Taxpayers Association. Former Minister Vadde Sobhanadriswara Rao asserted that the 'auctioning of government assets is against the law.' He called for a combined legal and public struggle against GO 137, which he termed 'unfortunate and wrong.' He highlighted that the 4.5 acres of the Old Bus Stand, valued at hundreds of crores, along with 14 acres of RTC land in Visakhapatnam, are being given away to the foreign multinational company 'Lulu' at an extremely low price. Former Mayor Dr Jandyala Sankar expressed worry that the sale of government land, including valuable RTC properties, to private companies for mere monetary gain disregards environmental protection and public welfare. Sunkara Rajendra Prasad (SRP) stated that legal and public struggles are crucial against the coalition government's move to hand over lakhs of acres of agricultural land, alongside RTC properties, to corporate and large companies, all against public opinion. Chigurupati Babu Rao, State Convener of AP Urban Citizens Federation, called for a broad-based united movement involving intellectuals, prominent citizens, RTC unions, other civic bodies, and various sections of society to protect the Vijayawada Old Bus Stand and other RTC properties, ensuring the survival of small and medium-scale traders. He emphasised that selling the RTC land to Lulu is tantamount to selling Vijayawada city itself. Damodar, from the RTC Employees Union (EU), Sundaraiah, State President of the SWF, Laxman Reddy, leader of the Janachaitanya Vedika, Konakalla Vidyadhara Rao, former president of the Chamber of Commerce, Venkateswara Reddy (Hotels Owners Association), K Keshav Rao (Farmers' Association State leader), Sampara Srinivas (AILU District Secretary), Murahari (RTC Pensioners' Association leader), V Sambireddy (Taxpayers Association leader), and Bhavani Prasad expressed their commitment to participating in the movements organised by the RTC Protection Forum.
