Tension at Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s residence as midday meal workers protest

Midday meal workers protested at Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s residence in Hyderabad, demanding pending salaries and opposing the transfer of contracts to the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Police stopped their attempt to enter the premises and detained them.

Hanamkonda: Tension prevailed at Forest Minister Konda Surekha’s residence in Ramnagar on Monday when midday meal workers staged a protest demanding that the government resolve their long-pending issues. They also urged the State to drop its plan to hand over the midday meals contract to the Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Carrying placards, a large number of workers, including women from Warangal, gathered at the Minister’s residence and raised slogans, pressing for the clearance of pending bills.

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They alleged that salaries had been pending for five months. “Before the Assembly elections, the Congress promised to increase our salaries. Now, after 18 months, the government is delaying payment,” they complained.

The protesters strongly opposed the proposed transfer of midday meal contracts to the Akshaya Patra Foundation.

The workers attempted to enter the Minister’s residence but were prevented by the police. The workers were later detained and shifted to the Subedari Police Station.