Resolve Odalarevu villagers’ demands for jobs and development: CPM

Allavaram – Andhra Pradesh: The CPM party extended support to the people of Odalarevu village, who staged a dharna demanding job opportunities and village development from ONGC, during a protest in Allavaram, Amalapuram, on Saturday.

Villagers demand jobs and infrastructure from ONGC

The residents of Odalarevu village staged a protest at the ONGC site, demanding employment opportunities for locals and improved infrastructure in the village. Their primary demands included better roads, civic amenities, and fulfillment of earlier promises made during the establishment of the ONGC project.

ONGC must fulfill Its responsibility

Visiting the protest site, CPM District Convener Kaarem Venkateswara Rao criticized ONGC for failing to develop the village despite earning crores of rupees from its operations there. He emphasized that ONGC has a responsibility to provide basic infrastructure, including roads and public facilities, and insisted that 70% of jobs in ONGC must be reserved for locals.

Past promises still unfulfilled

Kaarem pointed out that during the establishment of the ONGC site, promises were made to the villagers regarding development and employment, but they have not been honoured. He also accused successive political leaders, regardless of party affiliation, of neglecting the village’s development for their own personal interests.

Call for immediate government intervention

Kaarem urged the coalition government to intervene, hold discussions with ONGC, and ensure the implementation of necessary development works like CC roads and employment opportunities for village youth. He assured the villagers that CPM would continue to support their movement.

The protest was attended by CPM leaders P Shiva and several villagers, including Nathi Lenin Babu, Koppadi Ramakrishna, Ponnamanda Yesubabu, Kollati Srinu, Ilingi Srinu, Pemmani Venkata Rama Rao, and Gubbala Nageswara Rao, among others.