The CPI(M) city unit visited various localities here as part of its ‘poru baata’ on Sunday. Party leaders had to face lot of questions on problems such as child labour and lapses in the public distribution system.
Party city secretary Ch. Babu Rao said the child labour problem increased with rising inflation.
Parents were sending children to work as they were unable to make both ends meet, he said, quoting the parents.
The situation would not have cropped up had the government properly implemented the welfare schemes. Essential commodities supplied through fair price shops were of substandard quality.
There was always a shortage of 4 kg on purchase of 16 kg rice.
And sugar quantity would not be more than 300 grams if half kg was purchased, people complained.
The rules laid by gas companies were coming in the way of booking refills.
Gas agencies were insisting on booking refills only through cellphones. It was difficult to comprehend as the reply would be through SMS, they explained.
Electricity department officials were seizing meters if bills were not cleared in time. The surcharge was phenomenal, they said.
The government was collecting Rs.450 as surcharge if the bill was Rs.65, they pointed out.
The CPI(M) activists, led by Mr. Babu Rao, staged a dharna in front of Metro in protest against FDI in retail sector.
They burnt an effigy of the FDI and raised slogans such as ‘Go back’ against Walmart and Metro.
Poura Samkshema Sangham State secretary P.V. Srinivas spoke. He urged people to dethrone the Congress for its “anti-people” policies.
