CPM says centre, state burdening urban populations

Visakhapatnam: CPM organised a state-level seminar on adverse effects of central and state governments’ policies on urban people at the Alluri Sitaramaraju Science Centre here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, members of the CPM state secretariat stated that the policies of both the governments are imposing a heavy burden on urban people.

In his keynote address, state secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao pointed out that people in urban areas are having to pay as per water meters fixed to their taps under the central Amrut scheme. On its behalf, the state government has imposed value-based property tax, garbage tax and sewerage tax. It has also increased the electricity charges. Thus, both the governments are squeezing the urban populations dry.

Babu Rao said CPM has shown an alternative to these taxes and charges. He asked people to participate in the Praja Rakshana Bheri that the CPM is organising in this regard on November 15.

CPM GVMC floor leader B. Ganga Rao presided over the seminar. Those who participated include former Nellore Municipal Corporation deputy mayor Madala Venkateswarlu, CPM district secretary M. Jaggu Naidu, Vijayawada Taxpayers’ Association president M.V. Anjaneyulu and Uttarandhra Development Forum secretary A. Aja Sharma.