Civic workers stage protest demanding regularisation, abolition of contract system

The Krishna Milk Union has repaid a ₹110-crore bank loan within just two and a half years. A programme was organised to celebrate the achievement during a Regional Workshop on ‘White Revolution 2.0’ on its Vijayawada factory premises on Wednesday.Krishna Milk Union Chairman Chalasani Anjaneyulu said the long-cherished dream of dairy farmers had been fulfilled through the successful implementation of Project Kamadhenu at Veeravalli.Proposed at an estimated cost of ₹185 crore, the project was completed with ₹163 crore and this stands as a symbol of efficient financial management and farmer participation, he said.The state-of-the-art automated dairy plant at Veeravalli has a processing capacity of 6 lakh litres per day, with a scope for expansion up to 8 lakh litres. The loan taken for the project was scheduled for repayment over seven years, but was fully paid in just 30 months due to strong financial discipline and operational efficiency,” Mr. Anjaneyulu.Despite the Budameru floods that forced a 42-day shutdown of the Vijayawada plant and caused losses of around ₹24 crore, the union managed to maintain uninterrupted operations by shifting processing activities to the Kamadhenu facility, the officials said.Mr. Anjaneyulu credited dairy farmers, milk society presidents, employees, and cooperative leaders for the achievement, stating that collective effort ensured the union’s resilience during challenging times.He also highlighted the union’s performance over the past seven years, noting a significant growth in procurement and financial indicators.Milk procurement prices were increased by ₹28 per litre (₹280 per kg fat basis), and procurement volumes rose by 71 per cent, reaching 10.33 crore litres. The union has paid over ₹250 crore as bonuses to farmers over the past five years, including ₹45 crore in the 2025–26 financial year alone. Annual turnover increased by 78 per cent to ₹1,273 crore, while net worth rose from ₹95 crore to ₹256 crore, reflecting a 168 per cent growth, he added. Published - June 17, 2026 07:25 pm IST

The Haryana Government has accepted several long-pending demands of Anganwadi workers and helpers following protests in Panchkula and Bhiwani, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Haryana, said in a statement on Thursday (June 11, 2026).The protests were organised by Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union Haryana, affiliated to the CITU. In Bhiwani, workers staged a demonstration before Women and Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhry.Following the protests, a union delegation held a nearly three-hour meeting with the government chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Shekhar Vidyarthi at the Irrigation Department Headquarters in Panchkula. The talks focused on the union’s 16-point charter of demands.According to the union, the government agreed to several key demands. These include the payment of gratuity to Anganwadi workers and helpers in line with a 2022 Supreme Court judgment. Officials informed the delegation that the proposal was under process and likely to be approved soon.The government also assured that honorarium withheld from workers dismissed during the strike period would be released by June 30. Anganwadi workers would continue to be included in promotion lists, officials said. Cases registered against Anganwadi activists during protests in Gurugram, Charkhi Dadri and other districts have been withdrawn, and a formal communication to this effect will be issued by the State government, according to the union.Additional Chief Secretary Vidyarthi assured the union that all accepted demands would be implemented in the stipulated time frame. He also said strict departmental action would be taken against local officials for any negligence in implementation.The union described the talks as highly positive. To press for the implementation of a minimum wage of ₹26,000, recognition of Anganwadi Workers as Class-III employees and Helpers as Class-IV employees, and other pending demands, a “Demand Day” will be observed against the Central Government on July 10.On August 10, all 48,000 Anganwadi Workers and Helpers across Haryana will court arrest and participate in “Jail Bharo” actions at district headquarters throughout the State. Published - June 12, 2026 09:26 am IST

An artist’s impression of the ₹1,299-crore Central government office complex approved by the Union Cabinet. Handout | The approved projects include the Central Government General Pool Office Accommodation (CGGPOA) and the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA), which are aimed at creating modern office and residential infrastructure for Central government employees in Amaravati. A master-plan map marking the proposed Central government office and residential complexes, alongside the planned Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Secretariat and High Court buildings. Handout | 08 crore with a total built-up area of 23.25 lakh square feet. The project is intended to provide office accommodation for various Central government departments and agencies operating in the capital region.The GPRA project, designed to provide residential facilities for government employees, has been approved at an estimated cost of ₹1,234.91 crore. The housing complex will have a built-up area of 31.30 lakh square feet and is expected to include modern civic and community amenities. An artist’s impression of the ₹1,235-crore Central government residential complex approved by the Union Cabinet. It will hold 1,504 quarters across 31.3 lakh sq ft on a 17-acre campus. Handout | The buildings will have a minimum GRIHA 4-Star rating, comply with Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) 2024 standards and incorporate energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design features.Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the Union Cabinet approves two major Central Government infrastructure projects in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.- Central Government General Pool Office Accommodation (CGGPOA)- General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA)… pic.twitter.com/LjFNo48qJu— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 10, 2026The Cabinet also focused on inclusive development, and said the proposed campuses would be barrier-free and accessible for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities). The projects will further include modern civic and community facilities to improve the quality of life for residents and employees.The approval is expected to accelerate Amaravati’s growth as an administrative hub while strengthening the presence of Central government institutions in Andhra Pradesh’s capital region. The decision marks another major step in the ongoing development of Amaravati as a planned, sustainable and inclusive city.Reacting to the development, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar told The Hindu that it showed the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to developing the State capital, Amaravati. Published - June 10, 2026 03:53 pm IST

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), labour wing of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) urged countries to ensure that artificial intelligence complements workers rather than replaces them, while highlighting India’s social security coverage and protections for gig workers at the International Labour Conference.Speaking at the 114th international labour conference in Geneva on Tuesday (June 9), BMS delegate Bojji Surendran claimed India had received international recognition for achieving 64% social security coverage for its workforce, describing it as the highest in the world. He said the award was conferred by the International Social Security Association at the World Social Security Summit in Kuala Lumpur.“At a time when global unemployment is projected to remain stable at 4.9%, the persistence of global job gaps affecting more than 400 million people serves as a stark reminder that employment alone is not enough,” the transcript of his speech shared by the organisation stated.He urged that governments and international institutions must focus on decent work that provides fair wages, social protection, occupational safety, and opportunities for skills development.He also expressed concern over tensions in West Asia, saying conflicts affect labour mobility, overseas employment, remittance flows, supply chains, and the sustainability of small businesses. Trade unions, he added, have a role in promoting dialogue and building confidence during periods of conflict.Referring to the ILO Director-General’s report on artificial intelligence, Mr. Surendran said new technologies should be designed to assist humans rather than displace them. He welcomed recent efforts by the Union and some State governments to extend social security protections to gig and platform workers, calling them important steps toward inclusion in the digital economy.Mr. Surendran also criticised the use of the term “labour market”, arguing that labour should be viewed as human capital rather than a commodity. He called on member countries to adopt terminology that reflects dignity and respect for workers. Published - June 10, 2026 04:14 am IST

TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud congratulates INTUC leader Mogulla Raji Reddy on his victory in the HMWSSB employees' union elections at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on Sunday. | Mahesh Kumar Goud on Sunday said the victory of the Congress-affiliated INTUC in the Water Board elections reflected the continued support of workers and employees for the party. He expressed confidence that Congress would replicate the success in the upcoming GHMC elections.At Gandhi Bhavan, Mr. Goud felicitated Bonthu Rammohan, former Hyderabad Mayor, with a shawl for effectively serving as the in-charge for the Water Board elections and contributing to the victory of Congress candidate Mogulla Rajireddy.He commended Mr. Rammohan’s efforts and praised party leaders for coordinating effectively during the elections. He congratulated all workers who participated in the elections and extended special greetings to Raji Reddy, Rajender and their team for their success.Speaking to media persons, Mr. Goud alleged that during the previous BRS regime, the government had failed to respond when RTC workers went on strike. He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, talks were held and the strike was called off within three days. He further accused BRS leaders of creating difficulties for workers by taking control of institutions such as Singareni and the Water Board. He claimed that there was a situation where the Water Board was under the control of former Minister T. Harish Rao.He also acknowledged the role of Sanjeeva Reddy in securing the INTUC victory and said the Congress government would continue to work sincerely for the welfare of labourers. Published - June 07, 2026 06:56 pm IST

Elections of the recognition of trade unions of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation are on the anvil with the Labour Department formalising the process by appointed Sunitha Gopaldas, Joint Commissioner of Labour, as the Returning OfficerThe recognition of the unions of the TGSRTC has remained a long-standing demand of the union leaders, since the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, now the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, was in power. The recent TGSRTC workers’ strike too saw a reiteration of this demand.According to an official statement, the upcoming elections are being conducted to determine the representative trade union of TGSRTC employees. They will be per procedures and guidelines governing recognition of trade unions in public sector undertakings.According to officials, Ms Gopaldas will oversee the election process and ensure that it is conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and impartial manner. Her responsibilities will include scrutiny of nominations, publication of eligible voter lists, polling arrangements, counting of votes, declaration of results and resolution of election-related issues in accordance with applicable rules and procedures, the statement added..According to the department, arrangements for the elections are being made in conjunction with the TGSRTC management as well as representatives unions of the TGSRTC. Detailed schedules, polling station information, voter eligibility criteria and other procedural aspects will be notified separately by the Returning Officer.The Labour Department requested unions that are particiating in the elections, and employees and workers to cooperate in the process so that the process is smooth. Published - June 05, 2026 09:23 pm IST