ANANTAPUR: Activists of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) staged a dharna in front of the DRDA hall where a workshop on horticulture was held here on Thursday, demanding supply of Bengal gram seed supply in adequate quantity in all mandals.

They also raised slogans against Minister of Agriculture N. Raghuveera Reddy, who was attending the workshop. Activists led by Ranganna, Prakash Naidu and Anil Chowdary alleged that in connivance with local Congress leaders the officials were diverting the subsidised seed to black market.

They demanded an assurance from the Minister on proper supply of alternative crop seed. As there was no response either from the Minister or from officials, the protest continued for more than two hours. A few TDP activists also staged half-naked protest resenting the attitude of the Minister.

Finally, the Minister accepted a representation from the TDP leaders.

SFI stages dharna

Meanwhile, girls of KSR Government Junior College under the aegis of SFI also staged a protest demanding payment of wages to contract lecturers in their college. They alleged that district Collector D. Kadmiel had assured release of Rs. 3 lakhs for payment of wages to contract lecturers three months back but nothing had been done. Anantapur legislator B. Narayana Reddy assured the students of settling the matter after talking to the officials concerned within a few days.

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