‘Poru bata’ launched by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) ended on Sunday. Party leaders, as part of the agitation, covered 325 km by walk in the city. The people poured out their woes and anguish over skyrocketing prices and ‘lopsided’ policies of the government. The consumers were facing untold miseries due to the policies being adopted by the government.
The Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS), steep hike in water charges, power charges, housing, overflowing of drains, inadequate supply of drinking water and construction of stairways in hilly areas were some of the issues with which people were bogged down if the findings of CPI (M) were to be believed.
People were finding it difficult to figure out the merits of CTS saying linking of the LPG and ration supply with Aadhaar cards and bank accounts has led to chaos. The commoner was puzzled how the scheme could be implemented when the Aadhar cards were not issued to more than half of the people in the city.
The LPG cylinder price has touched Rs.1,100 due to the wrong policies of the government.
The subsidy amount was not being transferred to the customers’ accounts though the government promised so.
CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao on Monday said that the rising prices of essential commodities was pushing the people to the brink of economic crisis. The fair price shops were virtually defunct with no proper supplies.
Distribution of pensions has come to a grinding halt and the commoner was forced to fend for himself.
The corporation steeply hiked water and other charges. Notwithstanding, the elected representatives were playing a spectator role, he said.
Debt trap
The city was pushed into a debt trap due to the implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
The VMC was unable to pay the salaries of its employees. And to fill its coffers, it was levying unlawful taxes and charges on the people, he said, adding, the CPI (M) was gearing up to intensify agitations to demand the government to address the problems faced by the people.
