Vijayawada: Tension prevailed at the sub-collector’s office here on Monday as CPM activists staged a dharna in protest against imposing surcharge on electricity bills and cut in number of subsidised gas cylinders.
The police arrested the CPM leaders and shifted them to different police stations. Addressing the gathering, CPM central committee member Paturu Ramaiah said the central government has been trying to stop distribution of ration through fair price shops by introducing cash transfer scheme.
He said both the state and central governments imposed additional burden on common man.
CPM city secretary Ch. Babu Rao said the municipal corporation has been facing financial crisis with the lethargic attitude of the state government in releasing funds. He said that the MP and MLAs have failed to react on public issues though the government has been imposing additional burden on poor.
As a result of financial crisis the municipal corporation authorities are trying to get loans by mortgaging public properties and increase taxes, he alleged. He expressed concern over cut in subsidised gas cylinders.