Sarpanches from across Telangana stage protest at Praja Bhavan-Telangana Today

The protests were held under the aegis of Telangana Sarpanches Association Joint Action Committee

Hyderabad: Demanding the State government to clear long-pending bills, former Sarpanches from across the State staged a protest at Praja Bhavan here on Tuesday. Later, as a symbolic gesture, they submitted a representation to the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at NTR Garden.

The protests were held under the aegis of Telangana Sarpanches Association Joint Action Committee. “AICC Telangana incharge Meenakshi Natarajan is a Gandian and follows his principles. Hence, we request her to direct the Congress government to clear our pending bills,” JAC president Yadaiah Goud said.

Since the last one year, Sarpanches have been appealing to the State government to address their issues. Many of them had executed different works with their personal funds that were secured at high interest rates from lenders. Unable to bear pressure and humiliation from lenders, a few Sarpanches had even died by suicide, he said.

“All the Sarpanch suicides in the State are murders committed by the government,” Yadaiah said, adding that despite repeated appeals to Ministers, MLAs and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma as well, their issues were not addressed.

JAC vice president G Madhusudhan Reddy, Secretary R Nagaiah and others also spoke on the occasion.