TD Leaders Turning Into Predators, Women Left Defenceless: YSRC Spokesperson

Vijayawada:YSRC official spokesperson Aare Shyamala has condemned the increasing atrocities against women in Andhra Pradesh under the Telugu Desam-led coalition government.

Shyamala questioned, “What promises were made to women before the elections and what is happening today? Women are left with no protection while the TD MLAs themselves have become tormentors.”

She pointed out that the coalition leaders, instead of upholding justice, have turned into perpetrators, harassing and causing injustice.

Highlighting a shocking incident, Shyamala alleged that Amadalavalasa MLA Kuna Ravi Kumar has been harassing KGBV principal R. Soumya, keeping her confined in his office even during late hours and making midnight video calls. “What right do MLAs have to misuse their position and terrorise officials?” Shyamala asked.

She further revealed that a woman named Sofia had attempted suicide unable to bear the harassment and arrogance of Guntur East MLA Naseer.

Shyamala criticised the silence of home minister V. Anitha, questioning why the home minister has not spoken on Soumya’s suicide attempt or the rising number of cases of women being victimised.

Exposing the government’s anti-Dalit mindset, Shyamala reminded how Dalit women are not being protected and Dalits are openly insulted as “ganja addicts” by coalition leaders. She declared that the YSRC would continue to fight on behalf of women, Dalits and victims of injustice, ensuring their voice is heard.

YSRTUC vows to block VSP privatisation

Vijayawada:While rejecting the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) privatisation plans, the YSR Trade Union Congress (YSRTUC) said it was committed to wage a fierce struggle alongside workers and public unions to protect their livelihoods.

Addressing the media at the YSRC central office in Tadepalli, YSRTUC president Punuru Gautham Reddy said the YSRC government’s staunch opposition had stalled privatisation for five years, but the coalition government’s inaction has worsened workers’ plight.

He demanded Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and Minister Lokesh honour their election promises to save the plant. He accused them of showing indifference as the NDA accelerates privatisation of 32 departments by September 9, 2025.

Gautham Reddy deplored that the coalition’s policies have crippled the plant which had 20,000 workers. Of them, 1,150 have been removed via Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) and notices served to 1,000 more, totalling 8,000-9,000 layoffs in various categories in a year. He further deplored that salaries remain unpaid since September 2024, benefits like leave encashment, incentives, LTC, and LLTC have been scrapped while electricity rates in plant quarters have surged from 49 paise to `8 per unit.

Gautham Reddy condemned the coalition for dismantling a 1,300-day protest tent and erecting a police post to suppress dissent, contrasting this with YSRC’s support under former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Gautham Reddy said the YSRC government had engaged workers directly, passed an Assembly resolution against privatisation, wrote to the Centre to convert loans into equity and refrained from filing cases against protesters.

Gautham Reddy lamented that the coalition’s `11,400 crore package was a sham, only `7,000 crore was disbursed with `500 crore for VRS and the rest to banks, leaving workers empty-handed.

He added that the YSRTUC demands immediate cancellation of privatisation tenders, conversion of loans to equity, allocation of dedicated mines, permanent jobs for contract workers, merger with SAIL, restoration of salaries and benefits, and release of `150 crore in employee savings. “We will unite with labour groups, pressure coalition MPs and MLAs, and fight until justice is served,” Gautham Reddy asserted.

Massive Annadata rally held in Venkatachelam

Nellore:A massive Annadata Sukhibhava–PM Kisan victory rally was held in Venkatachelam, with participation of over 900 tractors.

Farmers from every village in the mandal took part in the procession, which stretched from the Venkatachelam sand dumping yard to Erragunta Community Hall, creating a festive atmosphere on the national highway.

Sarapavalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy dubbed the rally as a super success, crediting welfare schemessuch as Annadata Sukhibhava, Thalliki Vandanam, Sthree Shakti, and Deepam for restoring hope to farmers, women, and households in the state.

He highlighted that under the TD-led coalition government, farmers in the state are receiving ₹20,000 annually—₹6,000 from PM-Kisan and ₹14,000 from Annadata Sukhibhava—compared to ₹13,500 under the previous YSRC regime. The government has allocated ₹9,300 crore for Annadata Sukhibhava this year alone, he noted.

He noted mechanization subsidies, timely payments for produce and investment in horticulture as game-changers in agriculture.

Somireddy accused the ‘blue media’ of distorting facts and downplaying the coalition government’s welfare and development efforts. He claimed recent bypoll results in Pulivendula and Ontimitta reflected people’s rejection of YSRC’s policies.

Highlighting progress in irrigation, industry, jobs, and investments, he asserted that projects like Polavaram and Amaravati are gaining momentum and symbols of development under the TD-led government.

Minister says Balasanjeevani helping women, children

Kurnool:Women, Child and Tribal Welfare minister Gummidi Sandhyarani highlighted the success of the Balasanjeevani nutrition scheme under which pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children aged six months to six years are being provided eggs, milk, and multigrain flour free of cost.

Reviewing the various welfare schemes at Srisailam in Nandyal district on Tuesday, she said lakhs of beneficiaries have gained from these measures, leading to a major decline in child malnutrition over the past six months.

The minister said six ICDS projects are functioning across the district, covering 1,663 Anganwadi centres. She appreciated the dedication of Anganwadi and health staff and instructed officials to fill vacant worker and helper posts immediately.

Sandhyarani said 101 Saksham Anganwadis have been equipped with modern facilities, while 157 children have been rescued this year in the district by the Child Protection Unit.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting women and children.

Mansukh emphasises on health, fitness programmes

Vijayawada:Union Labour, Youth Affairs and Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya wanted the National Sports Day to be celebrated from August 29 to August 31 in a manner that it encourages all into taking care of the fitness, thereby ensuring good health.

The union minister held a video conference from New Delhi with his counterparts in various states. From AP, Youth and Sports minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy participated in the conference.

Mansukh wanted “Sundays on Cycles” processions to be taken out on Sunday, August 31, to send out the message of a health lifestyle within the society.

AP minister Ramprasad Reddy said that they are coming up with an action plan to conduct programmes in all districts involving educational instructions, government departments and sports associations to make sports a part of people’s lifestyle, so that they live a healthy life.

CS wants proposals for revival of sick units

Vijayawada:AP chief secretary K. Vijayanand on Tuesday directed officials from industries, energy, and handloom and jute departments to come up with proposals that help revive sick textile industry units in the state.

His issued the order when he met representatives of Andhra Pradesh Textile Mills Federation in the presence of officials concerned here on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the CS said as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is paying special attention to extend all help for revival of handloom and jute units, they have taken up an exercise to find out what schemes and incentives could be extended to the struggling units. They can then take the matter to the notice of the CM.

AP Textile Mills Federation representatives Koteswara Rao, Sudhakar and others wanted the state government to clear their pending dues of discount. They wanted a ₹2 per unit rebate on their monthly power bills, apart from concessions to set up their units.

Public panic over boat deployment; VMC reassures safety

Vijayawada:The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Tuesday clarified that the boats seen near the Ajit Singh Nagar flyover were deployed purely as a precautionary measure in view of possible heavy rains, and that there is currently no danger from the Budameru stream to Ajit Singh Nagar and adjacent areas of Vijayawada.

Large numbers of locals from Ajit Singh Nagar and surrounding areas rushed to the flyover to see the boats and to inquire about the possibility of floods in the Budameru stream. A rush was also witnessed at general stores and vegetable markets, as people stocked up on groceries as a precaution.

The deployment of boats created panic among the public, prompting the VMC to issue a clarification late on Tuesday night. In a press release, VMC Commissioner H.M. Dhyanchandra assured the public that the irrigation department’s flood alerts were routine safety measures, issued in anticipation of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next two to three days. He explained that, in response to these alerts, NDRF boats were stationed near Ajit Singh Nagar under the supervision of NTR District Collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha.

“The situation is fully under control. No water is being released into the Budameru from the Velagaleru regulator, and hence there is no question of flooding,” the Commissioner said. He added that staff had been instructed to monitor discharge reports from Velagaleru every hour.

Reiterating that there has been no release of water into Budameru so far, the Commissioner appealed to citizens not to panic and not to believe in rumours. “Current conditions pose no threat, and all precautionary measures are in place,” he emphasised.