The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Hundreds of protesting sarpanches arrested

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Hundreds of protesting sarpanches arrested

Special Correspondent

Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

On the warpath: MPTCs State president Y. Babu Rajendra Prasad being arrested in Hyderabad on Thursday. –

HYDERABAD: Hundreds of sarpanches were arrested when they tried to go in a rally to the Assembly on Thursday to bring pressure on the Government to transfer powers to local bodies in line with the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution.

A heavy police force opposite Indira Park foiled the attempt of the agitating sarpanches led by Y. Babu Rajendra Prasad, MLC and president, AP Panchayati Sarpanches Association, to march in a procession. The police bundled them into waiting trucks. Mr. Rajendra Prasad got off the truck at RTC crossroads and tried to proceed towards the Assembly but the police again forced him into a jeep.

Naidu’s promise

Earlier addressing the agitators, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu promised that the first file which he would sign if the TDP returns to power would be the one relating to transfer of powers to sarpanches. He recalled that while the TDP Government had given 64 powers to members of the local bodies, including sarpanches and MPTC members, the Congress Government had taken away 54 of them including cheque drawal power.

Other political leaders who pledged their parties’ support to the agitating sarpanches included CPI State secretary K. Narayana, TRS floor leader in the Assembly E. Rajender, CPI (M) State executive member B.Chandra Reddy, Praja Rajyam Party spokesman Mitra and BJP State president B. Dattatreya.

In the Legislative Council, TDP and CPI members staged a walkout when Chairman A. Chakrapani disallowed an adjournment notice served by them. Leader of Opposition Dadi Veerabhadra Rao (TDP) insisted on an immediate discussion on the sarpanches’ grievances but Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy said the issue could be taken up for discussion on September 1.

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Andhra Pradesh