CITU State unit demands Centre, State to address agrarian crisis

The Telangana State Committee of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) organised a human chain protest at Sundarayya Park, Bagh Lingampally, on Wednesday, demanding urgent measures by the Centre and State governments to address the agrarian crisis and protect farmers’ interests.

The programme was held in the run-up to the 36th National Conference of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), scheduled in Nalgonda from November 15 to 18.

Speaking at the protest, CITU National Treasurer M. Sai Babu said the conference in Nalgonda, known for its Telangana Armed Peasant Struggle legacy, would inspire farmers and workers. He alleged that despite 80 years of Independence, farmers’ basic issues remain unresolved and accused the Union government of pursuing corporate-oriented agricultural policies that have weakened the farm sector and affected rural employment.

Telangana Rythu Sangham leader Aribandi Prasad Rao demanded the cancellation of foreign trade agreements that he said were harming farmers and alleged that pro-corporate farm policies continued despite the repeal of the three farm laws.

CITU leaders also cited climate-related challenges linked to El Niño and demanded increased budgetary support for agriculture, a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and stronger relief measures for farmers. Similar programmes will be organised across Telangana ahead of the AIKS conference, they said.