Latest news with #KRamakrishna
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh electricity workers demand pay hike
VIJAYAWADA: Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary K Ramakrishna on Monday warned the State government that the Left parties would hold it accountable until justice is delivered for electricity workers across Andhra Pradesh. Thousands of workers, under the banner of AITUC-affiliated unions, including the AP Electricity Staff and Workers Union, Gram and Ward Secretariat Employees Union, Electricity Contract Workers Union, and Meter Reader Association, took part in a massive 'Chalo Vijayawada' rally. The procession began at the railway station and culminated in a public meeting at Dharna Chowk. Workers demanded a resolution to long-pending issues, including salary hikes, health insurance, promotions, and job security. Ramakrishna urged the government to adopt Telangana's direct salary disbursal model to ensure timely payments. He emphasised that these workers, despite their low wages, are responsible for ensuring uninterrupted electricity across the State, often at great personal risk. 'If they stop work, even government offices will go dark,' he warned. Ramakrishna called for job security for energy assistants, linemen, and other staff, along with union recognition and the conduct of elections.
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CPI flays govt for sidelining people's issues
Alur (Kurnool district): Addressinga massive public gathering on Friday during the 12th State conference of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Alur constituency, CPI State Secretary K Ramakrishna strongly criticised the ruling dispensation for sidelining people's basic needs in pursuit of political gains. He lamented that several key irrigation projects in the region, such as Vedavathi, Nagaradam reservoir and Gundrevula remain incomplete, causing severe drinking and irrigation water shortages. Despite these pressing issues, the administration continues to focus on power politics, he said. Highlighting the deteriorating infrastructure, Ramakrishna pointed out the pathetic condition of roads in Madugula that get damaged even after a minor rainfall. He demanded lasting solutions to such civic problems. He also criticised the much-hyped 'Super Six' welfare schemes, calling them mere publicity stunts with major lapses in execution. Referring to the neglect of essential initiatives like the Jinkala Park wildlife project, he stated that the government's priorities were misplaced. He condemned the infighting within the TDP and the ruling party's failure to address people's issues, warning that the BJP-led government's support for corporate giants like Ambani and Adani poses a serious threat to democracy. Speaking at the same event, CPI-affiliated Ryuthu Sangham (Farmers' Association) State president Ramachandraiah and district secretary Giddaiah expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of farmers. They stated that the commercialisation of agriculture has pushed the farming community into a dark future. Due to lack of fair prices for their produce, mounting debts and insufficient access to fertilisers, seeds and irrigation, many farmers are forced into committing suicide, they said. They also pointed out the government's failure to ensure proper implementation of Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), which further adds to the financial stress on farmers. The leaders emphasised that farmers were being pushed into a debt trap as input costs continue to rise while yields remain low and market prices plummet. Instead of supporting farmers, they alleged, the government was backing corporate interests, which is deeply distressing. Criticising the BJP government for allegedly trying to privatise the agricultural sector for the benefit of Ambani and Adani, they called it a dangerous ploy against the rural economy. The leaders urged farmer unions to engage in intellectual resistance and continue their movements in support of farmers' rights.
Hans India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CPI faults coalition govt for ignoring public issues
Alur (Kurnool district): CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna accused the ruling dispensation for not giving priority to completing several key irrigation projects in the region like Vedavathi, Nagaradam reservoir and Gundrevula, causing severe drinking and irrigation water shortages. Despite these pressing issues, the government continues to focus on power politics, he said. Addressing a massive public meeting on Friday during the 12th constituency-level conference of the CPI in Alur constituency, he said infrastructure is deteriorating in the state, citing the pathetic condition of roads in Madugula that gets damaged even after a minor rainfall. He demanded lasting solutions to such civic problems. He also criticised the much-hyped 'Super Six' welfare schemes, calling them mere publicity stunts with major lapses in execution. Referring to the neglect of essential initiatives like the Jinkala Park wildlife project, he stated that the government's priorities are misplaced. He condemned the infighting within the TDP and the ruling party's failure to address people's issues and warned that the BJP-led government's support for corporate giants like Ambani and Adani poses a serious threat to democracy. Speaking at the same event, CPI-affiliated Ryuthu Sangham (Farmers' Association) state president Ramachandraiah and district secretary Giddaiah expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of farmers. They stated that the commercialisation of agriculture has pushed the farming community into a dark future. Due to lack of fair prices for their produce, mounting debts and insufficient access to fertilisers, seeds, and irrigation, many farmers are forced into committing suicide, they said. They also pointed out the government's failure to ensure the proper implementation of Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), which further adds to the financial stress on farmers. The leaders lamented that farmers are being pushed into a debt trap as input costs continue to rise while yields remain low and market prices plummet. Instead of supporting farmers, they alleged, the government is backing corporate interests, which is deeply distressing. Criticising the BJP government for allegedly trying to privatise the agricultural sector for the benefit of Ambani and Adani, they called it a dangerous ploy against the rural economy. The leaders urged farmer unions to engage in intellectual resistance and continue their movements in support of farmers' rights. CPI and affiliated union leaders including Avula Shekhar, Maddileti Shetty, Bhupesh, Nabi Rasool, Ramamjaneyulu, Narasarao, Karrenna, Nagendraiah, Virupakshi, Basapuram Gopalu, Veeresh, Mareppa, Ranganna, Siddiling, and SS Bhasha participated in the program.
India Today
19-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Karnataka plans 10-hour days for tech sector employees: Report
The Karnataka government is planning to increase daily working hours for employees in the information technology (IT) sector, reported the Deccan Herald. The move has been met with strong criticism from trade unions, who say it will hurt workers' rights and damage work-life present, Section 7 of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, limits working hours to nine per day, and allows a maximum of 10 hours of overtime in three months. The total overtime in this period cannot go beyond 50 hours. However, under the government's new proposal, the maximum working hours would be raised to 10 per day, with overtime going up to 12 hours per day. The total overtime allowed in three months would also be increased from 50 to 144 MOVE IN ANDHRA PRADESHThe Karnataka government's proposal follows a similar decision taken in Andhra Pradesh, where the TDP-led NDA government recently allowed companies to increase the daily working hours from nine to 10. The change was made as part of the state's efforts to attract investment and make doing business Pradesh's Information and Public Relations Minister, K Parthasarathy, said that the state wants to make labour laws more friendly for both workers and companies. He also said that women, who were earlier not allowed to work at night, can now do so with certain safety rules like consent, transport, security, and proper lighting at the minister added, 'When you work extra, income will increase. By these rules, women can work in the formal sector. They empower women economically and promote gender inclusion and industrial growth.'But the move has also seen opposition. CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna said that the changes in labour laws are against the interest of workers and benefit companies more than OPPOSITION FROM TRADE UNIONS IN KARNATAKASeveral trade unions in Karnataka have opposed the government's reported plan to extend working hours. On Wednesday, the state Labour Department held a meeting with representatives from the industry and trade unions to discuss the possible amendment to the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) took part in the meeting and clearly opposed the idea. KITU called the proposal a form of 'modern-day slavery' and said it would harm workers' health, work-life balance, and job security. The union appealed to all employees in the sector to stand together against the proposed leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu, who attended the meeting, said the law already allows up to 10 working hours per day including overtime. They warned that the amendment would make 12-hour shifts legal and encourage companies to introduce a two-shift system. This, they said, could lead to job cuts and increased pressure on said, 'The government is trying to normalise inhuman working conditions. This change is not about improving productivity—it is about keeping corporate heads happy by turning human beings into machines.'MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNSKITU also raised concerns about the mental health of employees in the corporate sector. The union referred to the 'State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024,' which found that 90% of corporate employees under the age of 25 suffer from anxiety. It said the proposed increase in working hours would only make the problem union said that instead of extending working hours, the government should focus on protecting workers' rights and supporting their proposal is still under discussion, and no final decision has been made. More talks between the government, trade unions, and industry groups are expected in the coming workers' groups have made it clear that they will continue to oppose any changes that increase working hours or reduce job Reel advertisement
Economic Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Bad news for techies: Karnataka govt plans to increase working hours to 12 hours per day; IT unions oppose move
Karnataka working hours' move follows Andhra Live Events Trade Unions against proposed rise in Karnataka working hours (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has alleged move to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including IT, from 10 hours to 12 hours, a move met with resistance from several trade per Section 7 of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, the working hours per day cannot exceed nine hours and the maximum hours of overtime cannot exceed 10 hours. The Act also puts an upper limit of 50 hours on overtime (OT) work for three months. Through the proposed changes, the government seeks to extend the maximum working hours to 10 hours a day and the maximum overtime to 12 hours a day. It also seeks to increase the overtime limit from 50 to 144 hours in three months, according to a Deccan Herald TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to raise the maximum working hours from nine to 10 per day as part of ease of doing business and attracting Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said that it has been decided to amend labour laws to make them 'favourable' to workers and to the I&PR Minister, women were not allowed to work in the night shifts earlier but now they can work with safeguards such as consent, transport facility, security and said the workplace of women during night shifts should be fully illuminated."When you work extra, income will increase. By these rules women can work in the formal sector. They empower women economically and promote gender inclusion and industrial growth. Also contribute to women's empowerment," he K Ramakrishna, State Secretary of CPI, opposed the NDA alliance government's stand on labour laws amendments. He alleged that the Central and state governments are working against the interests of trade unions on Wednesday strongly opposed the Karnataka government's alleged move to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including state Labour Department on Wednesday convened a meeting with the industry representatives and trade union leaders to discuss a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, which reportedly seeks to increase the daily working hours to State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) said it opposed the proposal, calling it a form of "modern-day slavery".It appealed to all employees across the sector to unite and resist the proposed changes, which it claims would gravely impact work-life balance and job said its leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu were among those present in the that the law permitted a maximum of 10 working hours per day including overtime, KITU alleged that the proposed amendment would legalise 12-hour shifts and facilitate a two-shift system, potentially eliminating one-third of the charged that this move prioritises corporate profits over employee welfare and undermines workers' fundamental rights.'The government is attempting to normalise inhuman conditions. This amendment is not about productivity—it's about pleasing corporate bosses by turning human beings into machines,' Adiga cited alarming mental health statistics, and said the 'State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024,' found that 90 per cent of corporate employees under 25 suffer from anxiety.
