A new outfit, the Rayalaseema Rashtra Samiti, has launched a campaign against cement firms in Rayalaseema.
The samiti has decided to organise a 48-hour satyagraha at Kadapa from April 16. Their demands: allotment of cement to locals at a subsidised rate of Rs 150 in lieu of lands allotted, jobs to locals and compensation for causing damage to the environment and health of people, among other things.
“The people of Rayalaseema have been cheated by leaders of various parties promising them the moon. Though it’s our water, land, stone and power, the beneficiaries are outsiders,” Mr K. Venkatsubba Reddy, president of the samiti said.
Rayalaseema Rashtra Samiti, which received support from Telugu Desam, said several cement firms including Jhauri, Dalmia, Jindal, Altrateck, Priya, Panyam, ICL, Penna, Sri Jyothi, Priyadarshini, Nagarjuna Cements, Banjara, Bharathi and others, were playing with the lives of the people.
“These firms were allotted hundreds of acres of land at a pittance. Many have been promised jobs but few have actually got them,” he said.
“Since the factories did not honour their commitments, the government should take over the lands and return them to farmers,” he warned.
The cement factories were also causing environmental havoc, making life miserable for locals, he added. Farmers who are suffering from the negative effects of cement factories within a radius of 10 kms should be paid compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre annually.
The Samithi alleged that the government took over lands containing rich minerals at nominal rates and sold/leased them out to companies at much higher rates.
“The price of cement bags is much cheaper than in Rayalaseema despite the fact that cement is supplied from factories here”, he said.
He went on to demand that the government should ensure 80 per cent jobs to locals. It should also build hospitals for the locals, present a white paper on the total lands acquired from private individuals and allotment of government land.
Additionally, jobs should be provided by cement companies and ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh made to the kin of those who died due to pollution and other diseases caused by cement factories.