Chacko demands ESMA be invoked as high prices hit Andhra

Vizianagaram: Even as politics continues to play in Andhra Pradesh over the bifurcation of the state, life remains paralysed with power shortage being a prime concern. The warning of a cyclonic storm is also a concern as the state has been put on high alert.

The prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed in the state and many districts are out of power because of the striking employees.

"The prices of the vegetables have gone up. We do not know what the situation would be so we have to stock vegetables and other essential commodities," a resident said.

There is uncertainty among the students as well with no clarity over colleges in the state being open or not. "We do not know if the colleges are open. There are no buses or any other form of public conveyance. Even if we somehow reach the college, we are not sure if the classes would be held," a student said.

The Congress is now demanding that Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) be invoked to bring normalcy in the Seemandhra region.

"14 districts are without light, services in hospital have also been affected. The government is willing to talk to agitators. The state government should take strong action and ESMA should be invoked," said Congress spokesperson PC Chacko.

Various parts of Andhra Pradesh continue to remain dark as employees of the power sector in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh said they will continue with their indefinite strike as talks with the government to end the stalemate failed on Wednesday.

Nearly 30,000 employees of AP Power Generation Corporation, AP Power Transmission Corporation, AP Southern Power Distribution Company and AP Eastern Power Distribution Company the power sectors have not reported for work to protest Centre's decision on bifurcation of the state.

Another, 20,000 contract workers have joined the strike throwing the entire power generation and distribution system in 13 Seemaandhra districts out of gear for the past two days.

Meanwhile, the Centre has made it clear that there will not be a rethink on the decision taken by the Cabinet.