Hyderabad: CPI State Secretary and MLA Koonamneni Sambasiva Rao on Sunday announced a phased statewide CPI housing rights agitation demanding housing site pattas for poor families living on government and Bhoodan lands. He also opposed the demolition of houses occupied by eligible beneficiaries.
The campaign will begin with protests at district collectorates across Telangana on July 1. It will culminate in a massive “Maha Dharna” at Indira Park in Hyderabad on July 6.
Sambasiva Rao urged homeless families and eligible beneficiaries to bring their applications to the protests. He said the movement aimed to secure housing rights for poor people across the state.
CPI housing rights campaign to intensify
Drawing a parallel with earlier mass agitations for electricity rights, Sambasiva Rao said the CPI would launch a sustained struggle until housing rights were secured for the poor.
The CPI leader also demanded immediate compensation for victims of the Sigachi Industries explosion at Pashamylaram, in which 54 people lost their lives. He alleged that the families of the deceased had not received the promised Rs.1 crore compensation even a year after the tragedy.
Koonamneni Sambasiva Rao accused the company management of ignoring High Court directions and urged the state government to ensure payment of the promised compensation. He also sought the release of PF and ESI benefits, reimbursement of medical expenses and adequate assistance for injured workers.
Further, Sambasiva Rao called for a review of the proposed labour codes. He warned that the new framework could weaken workers’ rights if implemented without adequate safeguards.