Latest news with #Y.S.Sharmila
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sharmila begins indefinite hunger strike demanding reinstatement of dismissed VSP workers
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila on Wednesday (May 21) began an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the reinstatement of the recently dismissed contract workers of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). Taking up the slogan Visakha Ukku–Andhrula Hakku, she said Congress leaders are ready to sacrifice their lives for the protection of the steel plant and the welfare of its workers. The Congress leaders and workers who participated in the protest raised slogans against the BJP, JSP and TDP, NDA partners in the State and at the Centre. During the protest, she listed four main demands of the Congress: immediate reinstatement of the 2,000 contract workers; payment of salaries of regular employees, pending for eight months; reversal of the decision to privatise the steel plant; announcement of the merger of the steel plant with Steel Authority of India Limited. Addressing a gathering, Ms. Sharmila accused the RINL-VSP management of ignoring the problems of the workers and treating them harshly. Even as the workers were preparing to go on strike, demanding justice, the management showed no sign of taking any corrective measures, she said. 'There is not even the slightest concern in resolving the problems of the workers,' she said. 'The management, which has already laid off 2,000 contract workers, is now plotting to lay off another 3,000 workers, which is completely barbaric,' she added.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
A.P. Congress chief Sharmila urges Centre to stick to the original design of Polavaram project
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y.S. Sharmila on Saturday (May 17) urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure justice to the people of the State by adhering to the original design of the Polavaram project. Taking to the social media platform X, Ms. Sharmila pointed out that Mr. Modi was scheduled to review the Polavaram project on May 28, 2025. She said since it was a national project, the responsibility of completing it at the earliest and as per its original design lies with the Centre. 'We do not want Phase-I or Phase-II. The construction must proceed as per the original Detailed Project Report (DPR) with the reservoir height at 45.7 metres,' she said. Ms. Sharmila insisted that the total storage capacity of the project be retained at 194.6 TMC so as to irrigate 3 million acres of agricultural land and supply drinking water to 2.85 million people. She also demanded compensation in full for the remaining 94,000 displaced families under the Relief and Rehabilitation package. Taking strong exception to the reported reduction in the project height from 45.7 metres to 41.15 metres, she said it would reduce the water storage capacity from 194.6 TMC to 119.4 TMC, bringing down the status of a multi-purpose project to that of a barrage. Ms. Sharmila alleged that this was being done to evade the burden of Relief and Rehabilitation package as part of the BJP's conspiracy. She alleged that a gravity-based project was being reduced to a lift irrigation scheme and warnings by experts that if water was stored at a height of 41.15 metres, it cannot naturally flow into the right and left canals were being ignored. The State Congress chief accused the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of showing interest on completion of Banakacherla project instead of the Polavaram. 'The dedication shown in obtaining clearances for the inter-linking project does not reflect in securing full funding for the Polavaram,' she alleged.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP driving a wedge between Hindus and Muslims, alleges APCC chief Sharmila
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y. S. Sharmila on Friday said the attack on tourists in Pahalgam exposed complete failure of the Intelligence wing. Speaking at the party's executive meeting here, she said it was a complete failure on the security front, as the Army did not arrive even after the attack. Accusing the BJP of 'using intelligence and surveillance systems for its own interests,' she said why did the Pahalgam tragedy happen despite the presence of 10 lakh soldiers in Kashmir. Alleging that the BJP was trying to create a Hindu-Muslim divide by 'building a narrative that Hindus were killed because of their religion,' she said there was a Muslim among the deceased. She said Kashmir was promoted as a safe tourist destination and now the government admitted lack of security. She demanded that the government own responsibility for loss of innocent civilian lives and step down. Congress Working Committee (CWC) member K. Raju said the party would continue its fight against the BJP, which was insulting the Constitution. 'The Constitution provides equal rights to all, but the BJP governs in a way that benefits only a few. We will expose the BJP's stance,' he said. The party would launch a State-wide 40-day campaign to expose 'flawed policies of the BJP,' he said. AICC's incharge for Congress affairs in Andhra Pradesh Manickam Tagore, senior party leaders N. Raghuveera Reddy and N. Thulasi Reddy, APCC vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji and others were present. In the evening, the party leaders took out a candlelight march in solidarity with the bereaved family members of the terror attack.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam is cowardly act, says A.P. Congress chief Y. S. Sharmila
The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President, Y.S. Sharmila, on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) condemned the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir and called it a cowardly act. 'The death of 30 people and injuries to several others in this attack is deeply disturbing,' she posted on X, and expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Also Read: Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at Baisaran meadow, where tourists were killed She said it was especially heartbreaking to know that among those who lost their lives, three were Telugu people. 'The Central and State Governments must extend all possible support to the families of the victims and there is also a dire need for the entire nation to stand united in the fight against terrorism,' she said, adding that to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure that innocent lives are not lost, the Central Government must take strong and effective measures.
