Communist Party of India (CPI) functionaries on Monday staged a demonstration in front of Kadapa Collectorate, demanding that the people’s representative from the region quit their posts and undertake agitations for setting up a steel plant in the district.
Speaking on the occasion, CPI district secretary G. Easwaraiah said that Kadapa had abundant mineral wealth and it could be developed industrially. He alleged that the district had been neglected by successive governments. “Kadapa has become drought-prone due to lack of development and scanty rainfall,” he said.
“Though Steel Authority of India Limited officials have inspected land at three places in the district for setting up a plant, neither did it find a mention in the Union budget nor the State government was making a clear announcement on it,” Mr. Easwaraiah said and alleged that attempts were being made to shift the steel plant to Anantapur district.
He further said that no efforts were being made to extend a special status to Rayalaseema, allot funds and water and other facilities as announced in the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill.
CPI city secretary G. Chandra and leaders G. Venugopal, Vijayalakshmi, Maddiketi, K. Easwaraiah, G. Suresh and others also participated in the demonstration.