CPM Stages Protest Against Vijaya Dairy Milk Price Hike
The protesters alleged that neither the board nor the government had responded despite 10 days of demonstrations: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: The CPM staged a protest on the Vijaya Dairy premises in Vijayawada on Tuesday, demanding the rollback of the recent milk price hike. The protest coincided with the assumption of office by new chairman Dasari Balavardhan Rao.
Led by state secretary Ch. Babu Rao, the CPM city committee organised the dharna at the milk project, raising slogans and displaying placards against the hike that came into effect from Vinayaka Chavithi on September 14.
The protesters alleged that neither the board nor the government had responded despite 10 days of demonstrations across the city and district. They said this had forced them to intensify the agitation.
Security personnel initially prevented the activists from submitting a memorandum, leading to scuffles and heated exchanges. The situation eased after senior officials arrived and apologised for the behaviour of the guards. CPM leaders later congratulated the new chairman and submitted a representation urging the board to convene immediately and revoke the hike.
Babu Rao criticised the decision to raise milk prices amid drought-like conditions and rising costs of essential commodities. He said prices had been raised three times in a year, imposing an additional burden of over ₹200 crore on consumers.
He warned that if the hike was not rolled back, the issue would be made a key agenda in the forthcoming local body elections.
Boi Satyababu, B. Ramana Rao, P. Krishna, E.V. Narayana, K. Saroj, Adilakshmi and Jhansi were among those who participated in the protest.
