Roll Back Petrol and Diesel Price Hike, Demand Municipal Workers During Statewide Protest in Proddatur

Proddatur – Andhra Pradesh: Demanding an immediate rollback of rising fuel prices and implementation of long-pending worker welfare measures, municipal workers and employees staged a large-scale protest at the municipal workers’ muster point in Proddatur on Monday. The demonstration was organized in response to a statewide call given by the State Committee of the AP Municipal Workers and Employees Federation affiliated with CITU. Protesters strongly condemned the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices and warned that the burden of inflation is severely affecting workers, employees, and common citizens alike.

Strong demand for rollback of petrol and diesel prices

The protestors expressed serious concern over the recent increase of ₹3 in petrol and diesel prices by the Central Government. Municipal workers demanded that fuel prices be immediately reduced by at least ₹10, arguing that the hike has further intensified the financial burden on working-class families.

Speakers at the protest stated that increasing fuel prices directly impact transportation costs, prices of essential commodities, and the day-to-day survival of ordinary citizens. They alleged that workers are struggling to manage household expenses amid continuous inflation.

The leaders emphasized that rising fuel prices are not merely an economic issue but a major social concern affecting every sector of society, especially low-income families and daily wage workers.

‘Essential commodity prices crushing common people’

During the protest, union leaders said the prices of essential commodities have risen sharply in recent months, making life increasingly difficult for workers and middle-class families.

They stated that the combined impact of inflation, fuel price hikes, and stagnant wages has created severe economic pressure on municipal workers and employees.

The protesters urged both the Central and State Governments to take immediate steps to control inflation and provide relief to the public.

Demand for ‘equal pay for equal work

’One of the major demands raised during the protest was the implementation of the Supreme Court directive regarding “equal pay for equal work.”

Union representatives alleged that many municipal workers continue to receive inadequate wages despite performing duties equivalent to regular employees. They demanded that the State Government immediately implement wage parity for all eligible workers.

Employment and retirement welfare demands

The protesting workers also demanded compassionate appointments for family members of deceased municipal workers. In addition, they urged the government to provide employment opportunities to one family member of workers retiring after completion of 60 years of age.

The union leaders further demanded:

Implementation of the 12th Pay Revision Commission (PRC) recommendations,
Continuation of the retirement age at 62 years for APCOS workers,
Provision of retirement benefits,
Integration of COVID-19 workers into the APCOS system,
Increase in wages for COVID workers,
Assurance of long-term job security.

Large participation in protest

The protest program witnessed participation from a large number of municipal workers, drivers, employees, and union leaders at the Proddatur municipal muster point.

Among those who participated were Salomon, Gurramma, Ramadevi, Mohan, Obayya, Raju, Chinna, Prasanna, Praveen, Madhu, and Gurumurthy.

The leaders warned that if the governments fail to address their demands, particularly the rollback of petrol and diesel prices and worker welfare issues, the agitation could be intensified in the coming days.