KOTHAGUDEM: Lakhs of people across the country participated in the Republic Day celebrations by hoisting the National Flag but the workers of Paloncha Municipality in Telangana were denied their right to participate in the celebrations.
In protest, the workers staged a dharna in front of the municipal office and demanded that the government take immediate action against the commissioner and the officials for denying them their constitutional right. The workers also raised slogans against the officials.
One of the workers K. Venkateswarlu said that they worked hard to maintain a clean town, but as citizens of the country, it was their right to pay respect to the National Flag. When they came to the municipal office for Flag Hoisting on the morning of January 26, they were asked to go and do their duties instead.
“The officials did not allow us to enter into the premises and asked us to go for our duties,” he said adding that they were not against doing their duties but they wanted to go after the flag hoisting.
Mr Mutyala Viswanatham, trade union leader said that the officials not only humiliated the workers but also showed disrespect to the National Flag.
He said that they would take the issue right up to the senior leaders of the government. Later, sub-inspector Ravi came to the site and convinced the workers to stop the dharna.
Meanwhile, Republic Day celebrations had been organised in every nook and corner in Khammam and Bhadrachalam districts. With miniature versions of the National Flag pinned to their chest, students ran around getting errands done and organising the smooth functioning of the celebrations.
Khammam collector Lokesh Kumar and Bhadradri collector Rajiv Hanumanthu explained about the development work done so far and the new projects that were on the anvil.
