Prakasam district is facing drought-like conditions and lack of employment opportunities because of the impact of El Niño, said Kankanala Ramadevi, district secretary of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), expressing concern over the rising prices of essential commodities.
Staging a protest at the Collectorate in Ongole on Monday (September 7, 2026), she said: “The policies adopted by the Central and State governments led to this situation, making life extremely difficult for the common people. We demand the government to take immediate measures to control the prices of essential commodities and supply 14 types of necessary goods to the public at low rates via ration depots.”
Ms. Ramadevi said: “AIDWA is conducting a state-wide protest to demand the government to curb the rising prices of all essential commodities, which have surged by over 50% in the last one month. The people are worried on how to sustain their livelihoods amidst lack of employment and meagre earnings, thereby pushing the poor and middle-class people into severe hardship.”
She also criticised the granting of rights over food crops to corporate entities, and the actions of major traders and middlemen who she said divert essential commodities to the black market, driving up prices. She said that if the rise in prices was not curbed, State-wide protests would be launched under the leadership of AIDWA.
AIDWA district assistant secretary G. Adilakshmi and district treasurer B. Rajalakshmi also spoke. An AIDWA delegation then submitted a memorandum to Collector P. Raja Babu, who assured them that the demands would be brought to the government’s attention.
Published – September 08, 2026 05:00 pm IST
