Proddatur Municipal Worker Issue: Memorandum Submitted To Joint Collector

Andhra Pradesh: The agitation by municipal workers in Proddatur intensified on Tuesday as the relay hunger strike demanding reinstatement of dismissed outsourcing employee B Venkateswarlu entered its ninth consecutive day, with CITU leaders submitting a memorandum to Joint Collector Dr. Nidhi Meena seeking justice.

• Hunger strike continues for ninth day

Municipal workers continued their relay hunger strike outside the Municipal Office, expressing solidarity with the aggrieved employee B Venkateswarlu. Suresh participated in the protest as part of the ongoing agitation demanding his reinstatement.

• Memorandum submitted to Joint Collector

A delegation of CITU leaders met Joint Collector Dr. Nidhi Meena, who assumed charge as Special Officer for Proddatur Municipality, and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the alleged injustice faced by the worker.

• Commissioner’s clarification on dismissal

During the interaction, the Joint Collector sought an explanation from the Municipal Commissioner. The Commissioner clarified that Venkateswarlu had attended the anti-encroachment site strictly under the directions of his superior, the ACP, but was later relieved from duties following orders from the District Collector.

• Inquiry report ordered

Taking note of the issue, the Joint Collector directed the Commissioner to prepare and submit a detailed inquiry report on the incident, raising hopes among protesting workers for a fair review.

• Decision to continue agitation

Speaking after the protest, CITU Treasurer Siva Prasad stated that, based on the Joint Collector’s assurance to ensure justice through the inquiry process, the relay hunger strike would be extended for another week.

• Strike warning from April 1

He further warned that if justice is not delivered within the stipulated time, workers would escalate their agitation by launching a full-scale strike from April 1, in line with the decision taken by the majority of members.

• Participants in the protest

CITU President Gangadhar Reddy, Secretary Bhaskar, Treasurer Siva Prasad, Joshua, Venkatesh, Honorary President Vijay Kumar, Agamani, Olamma, and others took part in the protest. The day’s hunger strike concluded at 5:00 PM after Siva Nagendra offered buttermilk to the participant.

(Source: IAIJ/BIN/DPJB)