CPM slams coastal development threat to Fisherfolk

The CPM state secretary, V. Srinivas Rao, has strongly criticized the state government for threatening the livelihoods of fisherfolk in coastal areas under the guise of development and projects, stating that their lives are being destroyed. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday at Balotsava Bhavan in Vijayawada, alongside party state secretary member Y. Venkateswara Rao, he highlighted that millions of fisherfolk depend on daily fishing for survival.

He said that due to pollution, fish are becoming scarce in coastal areas, forcing small boats to venture up to five kilometers offshore. Chemical pollution from industries is destroying marine life, resulting in loss of employment. Anakapalli’s Rajayyapeta, he pointed out, is severely affected by pharmaceutical pollution, and clean water is scarce. Villagers in Dadi and surrounding areas are living amidst toxic chemical factories, making life nearly impossible.

Rao demanded that the Chief Minister and ministers personally inspect Dadi village, which has seen 5,000 acres allocated to bulk drug factories, half of which was given to Mittal Steel, with plans to reassign lands back to the bulk drug industry. He alleged that Home Minister Anita, whose constituency includes Rajayyapeta, has prevented residents from approaching her despite their hardships. He emphasized that the government should only retreat after fulfilling promises to review factories and take necessary steps.

He criticized ministers for going back on pre-election promises to prevent chemical factories, noting that voters had trusted parties like Telugu Desam and Pawan Kalyan based on such assurances. In Srikakulam’s Uddhan, he said, thousands of acres are being acquired for a cargo airport, disregarding nearby assigned lands and existing Bhogapuram Airport. Fisherfolk and the poor in these areas are severely affected. He accused authorities of ignoring pre-election promises to protect coastal areas like Uppada from pollution, which have yet to be implemented.

Rao further claimed that SEZ developments near Uppada, spanning 10,000 acres, have brought no real development and are instead displacing fisherfolk for industrial gains. Tourism projects in Bapatla and real estate companies have made it impossible for fisherfolk to access the sea. Similarly, in Nellore’s Kareda and Krishna Patnam, lands have been acquired under the guise of BPC and Indosol projects, leaving fisherfolk without livelihoods. He condemned the practice of bringing industries banned in Gujarat and dumping foreign waste in Andhra’s coastal areas, prioritizing profits over people.

Electricity amendment bill must be repealed

Rao urged the state government not to approve the Electricity Amendment Bill sent by the Union government, calling it a threat to the federal structure. He explained that even though electricity falls under the state’s purview, centralizing the bill at the national level infringes upon states’ rights. He warned that passing the bill would allow full privatization, with multiple discoms in a single area, elimination of cross-subsidies, and consumers paying production costs plus profit. Consumers could be forced to buy electricity in an open market in the future. Rao added that corruption and mismanagement have already caused losses in the sector, and privatization will only enrich private interests. He questioned the rationale of privatizing sectors like airlines, coal, pharma, and telecom, which have already faced losses, highlighting the bill’s dangers.

Call for United opposition on capital issues

Rao warned that another 44,000 acres are being prepared for acquisition in the second phase of the capital project, with the threat of forced acquisition looming if not voluntarily surrendered. He criticized this approach, stating it endangers capital construction. He suggested that government offices could be consolidated within 5,000 acres before expanding further. Rao said farmers remain unaware of what is happening in the capital, causing confusion and unrest. He urged that farmers’ opinions be considered in capital planning and designs and called for the formation of a united opposition in the state. He also noted that despite capital construction delays, projected costs are already running into several crores.