Proddatur MLA begins 48-hr fast

Kadapa: Political activity is hotting up in the district with the ruling TDP and the Opposition YSR Congress party staging protests and counter protests to gain political advantage in the name of establishing Steel Plant in Kadapa district.

TDP Rajya Sabha member C M Ramesh will launch an indefinite fast on Wednesday while YSR Congress MLA Rachamallu Sivaprasada Reddy launched a 48-hour hunger strike at Proddatur on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Left parties who were staging protests for the last 6 months proposed to intensify their agitation in phased manner. An affidavit filed by the BJP-led NDA government in the apex court spurred protests by different parties which have been demanding that the steel plant should be set up in the district.

However, BJP MLA P Vishnukumar Raju blamed the TDP government for the steel plant not coming up in Kadapa stating that it had failed to extend cooperation to MECON company.

Minster C Adinarayana Reddy reacted strongly to the BJP leader’s comments showing the documentary evidence submitted to the Central government by Andhra Pradesh Mining Corporation CMD Venkaiah Chowdary.

Kadapa in-charge Minister S Chandramohan Reddy Monday demanded that MECON company reveal the report submitted to the Central government.

It may be recalled that to provide employment to the rural youth, during the rule of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy about a decade ago it was proposed to establish Brahmani steels at Chitimitichinthala village of Jammala madugu mandal.

However, the proposal was shelved subsequently by the Kiran Kumar Reddy government as the management had failed to set up the unit within a set period of three years.

In view of the persistent demand from different parties, an assurance was made to set up a steel plant in Kadapa in the AP Reorganisation Act-2014.

Following the severe pressure from different sections, the Central government headed by Union Steel Minister Beerendra constituted a five member committee for studying the feasibilities over establishment steel factory in 2016. The committee reportedly submitted a report stating that it was not feasible to set up steel plant in Kadapa.