Various outfits that sprang up in the recent past in Rayalaseema region in the wake of development of capital at Amaravati at the cost of Kurnool in Rayalaseema are meeting at Tirupati on November 14 to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) and to give a clarity to the movement.
Dozens of organization have come into existence demanding justice for backward Rayalaseema with many economic demands such as special package, more water and early completion of ongoing projects. Some intellectuals in the region now are attempting to streamline the movement to give it a perspective. But a concerted effort is amiss as they are scattered and independent of each other.
According to the organizers, the proposed JAC will agitate against deployment of all funds and resources for development of capital city Amaravati and the already developed coastal region at the cost of the backward districts in the region.
“Nothing concrete— be it in terms of irrigation projects, industries, share in funds sanctioned for development of backward districts or educational institutions to benefit local people and students, has come to for the region. On the contrary majority of seats in Padavathi medical college at Tirupati were allotted to outsiders and depriving local students of their rightful share in violation of Article 371(D) ,” said Justice P.Lakshama Reddy, Justice A Gopal Rao, former IG A Hanumantha Reddy, who have been trying to streamline the movement, said.
“About 25 civic organization , students’ associations, political leaders irrespective of their party affiliations have been invited to the meeting scheduled on November 14.The objective of the meeting is to prepare a plan of action to build pressure on state and central governments to stop steps that affect the growth and other prospects of backward region,” they said.
The main demands of the protagonists of Rayalaseema movement are:
1. Implementation of promises made in 1937 under Sribagh Pact for all-round development of backward Rayalaseema and bring it on par with coastal Andhra region in every sector.
2. Development of Kurnool as the capital as it was the original capital of Andhra State before its merger with Hyderabad State to for Andhra Pradesh.
They warned that if the government did not respond suitably , it would soon witness intense resistance movement with a chant for another division of the State.
