Farm Labourers Demand Rs 60 Crore Arrears In Amalapuram Protest

USPA NEWS - Hundreds of agricultural workers, under the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers' Union, staged a dharna at the Amalapuram District Collector’s office on Monday, demanding immediate release of Rs 60 crore in pending wages under the Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Wage Arrears Yet To Be Released

Addressing the protest, Union State Vice President Kaarem Venkateswara Rao said workers had not been paid for seven consecutive weeks. He demanded that the government clear all pending arrears immediately, warning of increasing distress among rural labourers.

Concern Over Threats To MGNREGS

Kaarem expressed concern over Prime Minister’s repeated remarks about withdrawing the employment guarantee scheme. He added that even landlords in villages have started echoing this sentiment, creating fear among the labouring community. He emphasized that protecting the scheme is vital for rural survival.

Key Demands Of Agricultural Workers

The union put forth a set of demands:

Increase the number of workdays under the scheme to 200 per year

Raise daily wages to Rs 600

Restore the issuance of payslips

Provide Rs 5 lakh insurance in case of accidental death

Supply worksite aids like medikits, tents, and traditional tools

They also called for abolishing the “Muster” policy, which they claim is unjust towards workers.

Protesters Criticize CM’s Visit, Unfulfilled Promises

The union criticized Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s recent visit to the district on May 31, accusing him of neglecting workers' issues while using the opportunity for political campaigning. “He made many promises, but none address our core problems,” they said.

Women labourers at the dharna raised slogans like “Pay our wages, give us food,” highlighting the severity of their plight.

Solidarity From Allied Unions

CITU District President G Durga Prasad extended support to the protest, demanding Rs 10 mobile data allowance for female field assistants and a Rs 6,000 pension for all workers for six months, as promised in pre-election commitments.

Tenant Farmers’ Association District Secretary Peethala Ramachandram also backed the demands and submitted a formal petition to the District Authourites on behalf of the protesting workers.

The protest witnessed participation from district-level leaders of the Agricultural Workers’ Union, including Paschimala Siva and G Daivavani, and was supported by hundreds of workers and local leaders.