CPM accuses govt of protecting offenders

Khammam: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded the State government to book those involved in adulterated chilli powder trade under Preventive Detention Act (PD Act).

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, party district secretary Ponnam Venkateswara Rao said the government turning a blind eye though the adulterated chilli powder trade was being carried out right under its nose.

“It’s been a month since the Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) Department officials have unearthed huge quantities of chilli in several cold storage units in Madhira, Mudigonda and other places of the district.

However, the police is yet to arrest all those involved in the trade,” Rao said.“It appears that the government is trying to protect those involved in the trade by watering down the case,” he alleged.

Referring to the spurious seeds menace in Khammam and Mahabubabad districts, he deplored that farmers who suffered crop loss were yet to get compensated from the government.

“Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said he would make Telangana the seed bowl of the country, but it’s turning out to be centre for spurious seeds,” Telangana Rythu Sangham joint secretary Nunna Nageswara Rao said.

Referring to the lab reports that revealed adulterated chilli powder seized in the market was highly toxic, district secretariat member Yerra Srikanth demanded the government to initiate remedial measures to protect people from health hazards.