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Agitating Telangana Employees to Get 12 Day Salary

Going soft on the employees of Telangna region, who are participating in Sakala Janula Samme started on 13 September, the government directed the authorities concerned to pay 12 days salary to them. This decision of the government comes in view of the ensuing Dasara festival on 6 October. As Dasara happens to be an important festival in Telangana region, salary is expected to be of great use to the employees. The government employees of Telangana region began the strike from September 13 after working for the first 12 days of the month. While the government deciding to strictly enforce the no-work-no-pay rule, the finance department asked the district treasury officers to process the salary bills of Telangana employees also for 12 days and disburse the same along with the full month salary of employees who attended to their duties. A communication to this effect is sent by the principal secretary (finance), Mr V. Bhaskar, in the meeting. "The catch, however, is that the salaries can be disbursed only when the disbursement officer of the respective organisations and the pay and accounts office staff attend to their work in the next couple of days," a senior official said. “The catch, however, is that the salaries can be disbursed only when the disbursement officer of the respective organisations and the pay and accounts office staff attend to their work in the next few days," a senior official said. Sources said doubts were expressed about paying salaries to employees who attended to their duties by September 29, a deadline fixed by Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Sakala Janula Samme: 48-hour Rail Roko Ends

The 48-hour 'Rail Roko' that started as part of Sakala Janula Samme on Saturday morning has come to an end after two days of total disruption in the Telangana region. Though the train services were restored on Sunday night, the Telangana Joint Action Committee (T-JAC) said it would announce the future course of its agitation in a couple of days. Describing 'Rail Roko' as a huge success, T-JAC chairman Kodandaram said the future course of action would be chalked out shortly. Train services, however, remained paralysed till evening as supporters of the TRS, BJP and other parties stayed put on the railway tracks where they bathed, cooked, ate and held 'dhoom-dham' cultural programmes. Several trains left Secunderabad and Hyderabad stations after the pro-Telangana activists vacated the railway tracks on which they were squatting since Saturday morning. Even though the 'Rail Roko' has come to an end, there was no significant relief to the commuters since the buses of the A. P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) continued to remain off the roads for the seventh day running. Efforts by the RTC management to persuade the staff to end their indefinite strike failed as leaders of the National Mazdoor Union, spearheading the agitation, refused to oblige. The only silver lining was that the autorickshaws began plying by late evening after being off the roads for two days.  

Sakala Janula Samme: Day 13 - Rail Roko Continues

As the Sakala Janula Samme or the separate Telangana agitation entered the 13th day on Sunday, the 48-hour 'Rail Roko' that started on Saturday has crippled all 10 Telangana districts. 58 trains were cancelled, and many others were delayed, diverted or rescheduled. In these 12 days, the state has suffered a loss of Rs. 3564 crore, the rail roko movement has cost the South Central Railway (SCR) Rs. 22 crore. Also, seven lakh agricultural labourers are losing their daily wages and nearly 33 lakh students are missing classes. Hundreds of policemen, personnel of railway police and Central paramilitary forces have been deployed at stations to protect railway property. Meanwhile, over 10,000 RTC buses remained off the roads in Hyderabad and nine other districts of the region on Saturday. Around 500,000 auto-rickshaws have also joined the Sakala Janula Samme or general strike as it is called, demanding a separate Telangana state. Buses have been off roads for days now and auto rickshaws too have gone on a 48-hour strike to support the movement. The Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission examination was being held as planned and the government was trying to organise special buses to ferry students to the exam centres. The only respite for Hyderabad was that petrol stations will be open. With completely paralysed public transport including local trains, power cuts and civic administration hit, citizens in Hyderabad are gearing up for tougher days. With no political solution in sight soon, the agitation is only getting bigger. Congress MPs from Telangana, meanwhile, are expected to meet the state incharge Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi on Monday to re-iterate their demand for a separate state.    

Sakala Janula Samme: Public Transport Comes to Standstill

On the day 12 of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme or the general strike, the entire public transport system has come to a virtual standstill in the Telangana region. With the 48-hour 'rail roko' and 'auto bandh' on Saturday and Sunday and RTC already in its fifth day of strike, there is no other means left for the daily commuters to move out of their houses. With RTC buses staying off the roads, transportation of vegetables from nearby states has been affected. Most of the vegetables are brought from the rural areas to the towns and cities but due to the ongoing RTC strike the growers are unable to transport them to the markets. The rates of all vegetables have doubled in the last 10 days. Even milk vans have gone missing in the villages because of SJS. Small hotels and dhabas on the highways are the worst affected following non-supply of milk and vegetables from the villages. "We are hiring private vehicles by spending more amounts to transport milk and vegetables. The general strike is not fair," a dhaba owner lamented. While SJS entered the 12th day of the strike, the daily wagers, farm labourers and others said their lives have been crippled by the strike. "I am not bothered about what decision the Centre would take on Telangana. But the strike has hit our daily earnings. How can I feed my family without any work," a daily wager questioned.      

Sakala Janula Samme: Day 12 - Train Services Disrupted

As part of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme, the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) has called for a 48-hour 'Rail Roko' agitation starting from today, the 12th day of the ongoing general strike demanding separate statehood for Telangana. Trains scheduled for the weekend have been cancelled in view of the two-day agitation that begins today. The rail blockade, second in less than three months, has snapped the link between Hyderabad and other destinations in south and north India. The rail transport between Telangana and two other regions of the state has also been paralysed. Yesterday, the South Central Railway announced cancellation of 55 express and 176 passenger trains in view of the two-day blockade. The cancelled express trains include all the trains running between Hyderabad and Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Guwahati, Patna, Rajkot and Balharshah. Routes of 63 trains, including 33 express trains, have been cut short. The authorities have also announced that 55 trains will be diverted and four rescheduled. The trains diverted and those whose routes have been cut short include those originating in either north India or other parts of south and passing through Telangana. Some long-distance trains scheduled to depart on Friday and coming to Hyderabad or passing through the region have also been cancelled. They include the New Delhi-Secunderabad, Patna-Secunderabad and Kakinada-Secunderabad express trains. The train blockade will add to the woes of the commuters as state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses remained off the roads in the region for the fifth day on Friday due to the Sakala Janula Samme. The twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad are the worst hit as even auto rickshaws have gone on a two-day strike from Friday midnight. The rail blockade has also forced the South Central Railway to cancel all 222 MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) services or local trains in the twin cities and 102 DHMU (Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Unit) trains in other parts of Telangana.            

Kodandaram Threatens to Turn to Militancy

Peeved at the callousness of the state and the central government on the demand for separate state of Telangana after 11 days of mass general strike, the Telangana political JAC convener Prof. Kodandaram called upon the pro-Telangana activists to prepare to wage a militant struggle for attaining the separate state. Addressing a media conference in Hyderabad, Kodandaram said that the congress and the Central government are unabashedly unmoved by the all people's strike aimed at achieving Telangana. "There is no other go for us except for waging a militant struggle to liberate our land," he told the cadres. Criticizing the decision of the state government to go ahead with the conduct of the Group-1 examinations, he asked the government to postpone the APPSC examination to a further date. "How can you conduct the examination when the state is burning," he asked the government. He appealed to people to make the two day rail roko programme a grand success. He said the agitation would be intensified further from Monday.

Red Overshadows Pink at Khammam Poru Garjana

The well-attended public meeting called 'Poru Garjana' at the Pavilion grounds in Khammam on Thursday, has brought forth a new player that has strong left leanings, into the Telangana movement. K Chandrasekhar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which has been struggling for its own survival in some districts where it has very little presence, too was keen on extending a helping hand to CPI (ML) New Democracy, the new entrant. The CPI (ML) New Democracy has made known its intentions loud and clear at the massive public meeting. The party managers succeeded in driving home the message that "it's not TRS alone, but New Democracy is here to champion the T-cause and take the movement forward among the four crore people of the region," much to the delight of Telangana protagonists at the Poru Garjana. KCR, who was expected to heli-hop to the garjana venue dropped out due to viral fever. Harish Rao and K Tarakarama Rao couldn't attend as they were caught in the traffic. However, TRS MLA Etela Rajender and T-JAC convener Kodandaram shared the dais with New Democracy leaders. In spite of riding high in the wake of the success of Sakala Janula Samme and RTC employees' strike, TRS was left playing a second fiddle to New Democracy, which has sizeable presence in Khammam and other Andhra districts, at the Khammam 'Poru Garjana'. Knowing well that the T-agitation is going to be a long haul and that the Centre would not grant the separate state in the immediate future, TRS bucked the trend by trying to forge a friendship with New Democracy. Analysts say, this could herald a new alignment of T-forces. This bonding is mutually beneficial to both TRS and New Democracy. But one thing TRS should always remember that it was the New Democracy that turned the pitch of the T-movement to 'Red' during 'Millennium March' on March 10, 2011 by vandalising the statues of Telugu dignitaries on the Tank Bund. Telangana protagonists, at all given opportunities, are not missing to emphasise that the T-movement is devoid of violence. With the dominant 'Red' in, the pale 'Pink' may get over-shadowed, aver the analysts.      

Sakala Janula Samme Hits The Poor Badly in A.P.

The Sakala Janula Samme or general strike by pro-Telnagana activists, which is going on for the past 10 days, has hit the poor in the region very badly. Life has been thrown out of gear for most people in the Telangana districts. From government employees to students and teachers, huge groups have been out on the road. Ordinary people are badly affected, with business hit because of power cuts, no transport and many services crippled. More than 10,000 buses are off the roads paralysing public transport. With buses off the road, 84 lakh commuters are suffering and with colleges and schools closed, 30 lakh students are out of their classroom. The state is reeling under power cuts as the strike at Singareni Collieries has crippled output at the National Thermal Power Corporation plant at Ramagundam. The government estimates revenue loss at several thousand crore rupees, which the experts say, would land the state into a severe economic crisis in the days to come. However, the chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is of the opinion that this strike will not influence the decision of the Central government on Telangana in any way. "Because of this strike, only poor people and poor students are suffering," he said.

Youth Threatens to Jump From Hoarding-top For Telangana

A youth Srinivas, hailing from Adilabad created tension in the busy Koti area of Hyderabad by threatening to commit suicide in support of separate Telangana state. Srinivas reached Koti area at about 11 AM and climbed over an advertisement hoarding located near DMHS office. He started to shout loudly 'Jai Telangana' slogans to draw attention of the public passing by. He threatened from the top that he would set himself ablaze with the petrol he brought along and jump down in protest of Centre dillidallying in announcing separate Telangana. Police and Telangana Nagaara president Nagam Janardhan Reddy, who reached the spot, tried to convince the boy at length, but he didn't come down. Even the attempts of the Fire servicemen have gone futile, when the boy took out petrol bottle from the bag and got ready to put himself on fire. When last reported, the youngman was still on the top of the hoarding and people were trying to convince him.    

Sakala Janula Samme: Poru Garjana - 22 September, 2011

The ongoing 'Sakala Janula Samme' or the general strike in 10 Telangana districts entered day 10 today gathering more masses and momentum with doctors and a section of PSU employees also joining the agitation. With transport and power supply crippled, it's the turn of the doctors in general hospitals who started an hour's protest seeking a separate Telangana state. State Transport Corporation buses continued to be off the road though AP Transport Corporation was making efforts to maintain a skeleton service to avoid hardship to people. Scenes of government servants holding gate meetings and protest rallies in support of the agitation were seen at several government offices. The government was keenly monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to mitigate hardship caused to the people of the region. In its efforts to garner support from all quarters, the Telangana JAC wants to make the massive public meeting 'Telangana Poru Garjana' at Pavilion Grounds in Khammam today, a big success. Interestingly, the Left parties that have been hitherto keeping distance from separatist movement, are sponsoring  this Poru Garjana at Khammam. The event is expected to be attended by KCR and Kodanadaram along with several other top leaders of Telangana.      

Palvai Criticises Renuka, Komatireddy Brothers

The senior Congress leader Palvai Govardhan Reddy, referring to Komatireddy brothers, wondered as to why some leaders who worked against the Telangana movement in the past, were now acting as though they were important to the movement. The Congress was in favor of Telangana, he said and added that Mr K Chandrashekar Rao had launched TRS Party,  even though the Congress party was already fighting for separate Telangana State. Alleging that the AICC official spokes person Ms Renuka Chowdhary was not in a position to see the ongoing Telangana movement though she had the eyes, he warned that the Telangana protagonists will not allow her to step in to Khammam district. He also alleged that the Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy was trying to suppress the movement.    

Sakala Janula Samme: Jana Reddy Letter to Sonia

Telangana Congress Steering Committee convenor and Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy on Wednesday stated the Telangana Ministers would write a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a decision on Telangana by this month-end. At a meeting held at the residence of Minister Sudarshan Reddy, the Telangana ministers decided to write a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take an early decision on separate statehood. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Jana Reddy said that the ministers have unanimously decided to approach the High Command and ask Sonia Gandhi to complete the consultation process. The Ministers have also decided to go to New Delhi on September 25 to brief the Centre about the actual situation prevailing in the region. The ministers have also expressed solidarity with the employees general strike and appealed to them to continue it in a peaceful manner.    

Sakala Janula Samme: 21-09-2011 Latest Updates

Sakala Janula Samme, the indefinite strike by government employees, teachers, transport, electricity and coal workers, lawyers and other sections of people in Telangana for separate statehood continued for the ninth day today, bringing the region to a virtual standstill. While public transport services in Hyderabad and nine other districts of Telangana remained paralysed for the third day due to the strike of state-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) employees, authorities also curtailed power supply to the city from two to eight hours. A daily two-hour cut in electricity supply began in Hyderabad Wednesday while a four to eight-hour blackout is already on in other districts for the last few days. Here's the latest video clipping of the happenings during the day.      

Sakala Janula Samme: Effects on Day 9

The ongoing Sakala Janula Samme is gaining ground day by day with more employees unions joining the agitation. Even though public are facing many hardships, the government seems not too keen on taking stringest action against the agitators. Situation is likely to further worsen in the days to come. Almost all educational institutions are being closed indefinitely. Civic services are also badly hit with imposition of two to four hours power cut. GHMC employees also decided to stop essential services from tomorrow in spite of Esma has already been evoked by the government.    

Sakala Janula Samme: 21 September - Bus Accident

On the 9th day of Sakala Janula Samme today, 21 September 2011, a Bus accident took place in Yousufguda, Hyderabad. The mishap occured when the RTC bus driven by a temporary driver was going towards Yousufguda from Ameerpet. While negotiating an up, the gears failed and the bus came back in reverse speedily. A person who was in an auto behind the bus died and few others injured. On hearing the news, TRS MLA Harish Rao reached the spot immediately and staged dharna on the road along with dead-body of the victim. State minister Danam Nagender also reached the spot and condoled the family of the deceased person. The minister assured the victim's family with ex-gracia and a job to the kin.            

Sakala Janula Samme: Day 8 - Updates

Here are the video clippings of happenings during 8th day of the Sakala Janula Samme on 20 September 2011.                                

KCR Speech at Mint Compund 20 September 2011

Addressing Electricity Board employees, TRS chief on Tuesday 20 September 2011 made an aggressive speech lashing out at the government and seemandhra people. The general strike, named as 'Sakala Janula Samme' has reached 8th day today and more employees unions are joining the strike. Normal life in Telangana region has completely come to a standstill with Singareni, RTC, students and employees from other government departments joining the moment. Even government's invoking of ESMA and GO 177, couldn't deter the employees from joining the general strike.            

Sakala Janula Samme: Govt Action Against Striking Employees

In view of the ongoing Sakala Janula Samme gaining momentum, chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy convened a meeting of the cabinet sub-committee at Secretariat on Monday. In the meeting, it was decided to take stringent action against the striking employees. The chief minister appointed two task force teams to oversee non-stop supply of power, transport services and essential commodities. He also issued instructions to the GAD and Finance departments to cut salaries of the striking employees as per the GO 177 in force. The cabinet sub-committee felt that additional forces are required to maintain law & order situation in the region in wake of the general strike. Accordingly, it was decided to request the Centre for deployment of additional forces.      

Sakala Janula Samme: Day 8 Update

Sakala Janula Samme, which has entered day 8 today, 20 September 2011, almost brought the daily life in entire Telangana region to a standstill. Singareni workers, students, employees of RTC and other state government departments are participating in this general strike that started on 13 September. The TJAC which is spearheading the moment condemned yesterday's lathi charge and arrest of students by the police and decided to organize protest rallies throughout the region. On the other hand, government is planning to arrange alternate transport and other essential services in view of the hardships faced by the public.