Locals get raw deal in industries

Nellore: The kith and kin of farmers who gave their fertile lands to industries are now lower cadre employees and workers in the organisations even though their family members are having qualifications to be seated in a dignified position. Still, no industry is offering no such lucrative post to local youth confining to lower cadres.

In fact, majority industries which have set up their shops in the district have not been providing employment to local youth and the managements were also not disclosing any details of employment. There has been tussle between legislators of some opposition parties on the issue as they were demanding for clarity on employment to local youth where farmlands were acquired for industries and the gimmicks being played in the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility meant for the project oustees.

Highlights:

• Kith and kin of farmers who gave lands to industries are now lower cadre employees and workers
• Firms offering employment such as security personnel, sanitation staff, office staff and in other wings on contract basis

According to data, there are 21 mega and 46 large scale industries in the district where mega industries were set up with Rs 39,053 crore who claimed that they had provided employment to around 32,400 persons in their firms. These 46 large scale industries which have been set up with Rs 1,793 crore have also provided employment to more than 10,400 persons in their firms.

As a rule, managements of these firms promise employment to local youth in their firms while initiating setting up process and get permissions from Gram Panchayats. But, they practically nosedive fulfilling the assurances that have been made earlier to villagers.

Interestingly, these firms are offering employment such as security personnel, sanitation staff, office staff and in other wings on contract basis.

“Many thermal plants in the coast failed to provide employment to local youth and have recruited staff from other areas saying they were not getting technical staff. Government has to review scenario of employment being provided to local youth these industrial units promised earlier,” said Kakani Govardhan Reddy, Sarvepalli MLA, who has been belligerent on the issue.

Interestingly, government employment exchange is also registering names of unemployed even though they were not providing any sort of avenues to them since AP State Skill Development Corporation replaced it after bifurcation. As per data at the office, 52,242 unemployed youth have enrolled their names across the district in which 15,380 were degree holders.

According to estimations, around 1.20-1.30 lakh youth are yet to enrol their names who pursued studies in technical and other courses. About 60 per cent of students who pursued technical courses such as polytechnic, engineering and other professional courses are moving towards other parts of the country for livelihood.

“This is quite injustice not providing any suitable employment to family members of farmers who gave their lands for industrial units. District administration which has been promoting industries is simply ignoring the difficulties of people soon after the units were opened. We need to seek justice from the court if the trend is continued,” said K Ramana Reddy from Muthukur mandal.

By P V Prasad