RDT supporters urge FCRA renewal, vow united mass movement
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
Andhra Pradesh: At a meeting held in Anantapur, community leaders and activists came together under the banner of the RDT Protection JAC to demand the immediate renewal of FCRA status for the Rural Development Trust (RDT). The speakers emphasized the organization’s historic role in transforming the lives of lakhs of poor and marginalized people in the region and called for a unified public movement to protect its legacy.
Meeting calls for protection of RDT’s legacy
On Thursday, the RDT Protection Joint Action Committee (JAC) convened a meeting at the Press Club in Anantapur, where representatives from various caste and public associations gathered to discuss the crisis facing the Rural Development Trust (RDT) due to the pending FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) renewal.
“Our goal is to protect the RDT, the legacy of the poor people,” said Saake Hari, newly elected Convener of the RDT Protection JAC.
RDT’s lifelong impact across sectors highlighted
Speakers at the event described the RDT as a lifeline for the rural poor across the joint Anantapur district. According to JAC convener Saake Hari:
Over 4,71,200 people have benefited directly from RDT.
One lakh houses have been constructed for the underprivileged.
RDT’s work spans agriculture, employment, education, healthcare, and sports.
“As an alternative to government administration, RDT has invested crores of rupees in health and education for the poor,” Hari said, adding that the organization’s contributions are irreplaceable.
Tributes paid to RDT Founder Father Vicente Ferrer
Speakers paid emotional tributes to Father Vicente Ferrer, the Spanish missionary who founded RDT and devoted his life to uplifting Anantapur’s marginalized communities.
“Born in a foreign country, Father Ferrer worked till his last breath for Anantapur. We will carry forward his aspirations,” said Hari.
FCRA blockage at Centre deeply criticized
JAC leaders expressed strong concern over the central government’s inaction regarding the FCRA renewal for RDT.
“It is painful that RDT, which is still revered by the poor, is being denied FCRA renewal. This threatens its very survival,” JAC said.
They noted that with FCRA renewal blocked, the organization’s ability to continue welfare activities could be crippled.
United action plan announced to save RDT
As a first step, the JAC resolved to submit “Save RDT” petitions to the two Members of Parliament from the joint Anantapur district. Further joint public movements are planned if the FCRA renewal is not secured.
“We are ready to intensify our movement in many forms until RDT is safeguarded,” JAC declared.
Wide community support for the movement
The meeting was attended by a diverse group of public representatives and activists Palthur Anandaraju, Chamalur Rajagopal, Sugamanchi Srinivasulu, Chabala Jagadish, Budaga Jangam Anji, T P Ramanna, Rocketla Suryanarayana, and many others.
They pledged full support to the Save RDT movement, uniting across caste, occupation, and community lines to protect what they described as a people’s institution that transformed Anantapur.
