Locals demand quota in jobs

Locals demand quota in jobs
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Highlights

Lack of employment for locals in PSUs has forced many a skilled labourer to migrate from the Bhadradri-Kothagudem district to other places. 

Kothagudem: Lack of employment for locals in PSUs has forced many a skilled labourer to migrate from the Bhadradri-Kothagudem district to other places.

During the 'Dasa-Disa’ debate organised by HMTV on Saturday, denizens expressed their considered view that development had brought “pollution” in its wake, without any considerable job creation for the local population.

Leaders representing tribals and Dalits blamed successive governments for neglecting the communities though sizable sections among them were educated.

Bala Raju, a tribal leader, lamented that the proposed University for Tribals had come up in Adilabad, though it was planned for the district.

Dastagiri, a teacher, demanded reservation of at least 50 per cent in employment for locals. He said that 1/70 Act should be amended to meet the aspirations of the locals and that Kothagudem combined with Palvancha should be declared a corporation for better administration.

Former MLA G Narsaiah demanded that the government provide employment opportunities to tribals in the district. He felt that privatisation of the Bayyaram Steel Plant was unwarranted, when steel plants like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, a PSU, were successfully functioning.

CPI leader and former MLA of Kothagudem K Sambasiva Rao said the government could compensate the loss of seven mandals to AP by developing Bhadrachalam and Kothagudem.

He said the locals were not being extended employment in KTPS (Kothagudem Thermal Power Station), with an excuse of lack of ‘technical knowhow.’ He asserted the locals were getting nothing but pollution from the development around the area.

Women representatives present during the debate demanded that the government ensure equal opportunity in jobs under the Dependent Employment Scheme.

Meenakshi, one of the women representatives, asked the government to also provide women’s police station. Some of the leaders pitching for jobs stated that at least 1,700 individuals were running from pillar to post for this.

Responding to this, local MLA Jalagam Venkat Rao said the gaps were being bridged by the institutes like National Academy of Construction.

He claimed that initiatives like this were arresting the trend of migrations to other districts. While acknowledging that there were economic constraints, he said that under limited resources the government was taking up developmental activities in Kothagudem.

He pointed out that Rs 70 lakhs was spent on drinking water project in Laxmidevipally, a panchayat, while farmers were provided solar bores covering 800 acres of land. He also said the district was getting boost from funding of State and Central governments to the tune of Rs 23 crores.

Aswaraopeta MLA T Venkateswarulu promised to resolve the issues raised by Koya community. The Dasa Disa was moderated by P Venkatakrishna, Chief Editor Debates and Discussions.

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