CPI announces Andhra protests over housing, drought and land disputes

The Communist Party of India has announced a series of protests in Andhra Pradesh over housing, drought relief and disputes involving land listed under Section 22-A as prohibited property. CPI State secretary G. Eswaraiah announced the programmes at a press conference in Vijayawada on Thursday.

He said the party’s state committee had decided to intensify public movements after discussing political developments and public concerns at a meeting in Kadapa from September 28 to 30. The party plans to hold a “Chalo Vijayawada” programme on October 26. Eswaraiah said it would demand two cents of house-site land for each urban poor family and three cents for each rural poor family.

It would also seek the allotment of TIDCO houses and financial assistance for construction. He alleged that several assurances made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu before the elections had not been implemented after 26 months.

The claims were presented by the CPI and were not accompanied in the material by a response from the government. Eswaraiah also alleged that disputes over 22-A prohibited lands remained unresolved and that some officials were demanding bribes. He claimed some elected representatives and ruling-party leaders were attempting to influence the inclusion of land in the 22-A list.

The CPI has raised the matter with the government and Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, he said, calling for comprehensive verification and restoration of genuine rights. The CPI leader said 518 mandals were severely affected by drought and that rainfall was 54% below the normal 512 millimetres for the period under consideration. He demanded that Andhra Pradesh be declared drought-hit and sought assistance for farmers affected by drought, heavy rain and floods.

The party also plans rallies in all 175 Assembly constituencies from October 2 to 8, seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.