The Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sanghala Samanvya Samithi (A.P. Farmers’ Unions Coordination Committee) launched a two-day protest against the Union government’s policies in Vijayawada on Monday. They also demanded the Electricity Bill 2020 be repealed immediately. They also sought pre-paid smart electricity meters for agriculture motors to be withdrawn by the State and Central governments.
Addressing the gathering, Samithi convener and former Minister Vadde Shobhanadreeswara Rao said that the protest is being organised by them in association with Trade Unions’ Ikya Vedika (Trade Union’s United Forum).
The agriculture sector was facing a crisis due to the policies of the State and Central governments, and the number of farmer suicides is an indication of that. About one-and-a-half lakh farmers committed suicide in the country after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, Mr. Shobhanadreeswara Rao said.
