KTR Angry At Sanitation Worker's Suicide In Mulugu

BRS working president K T Rama Rao today expressed deep anguish over the tragic death of sanitation worker Maidam Mahesh in Mulugu district.

The worker allegedly consumed pesticide to end his life after not receiving his pending wages for several months.

Following KTR's directions, former REDCO Chairman Eruva Satish Reddy, along with BRS leaders, visited Mahesh's residence in Madhavaraopalli and consoled the family. During the visit, KTR personally spoke to Mahesh's mother over the phone.

Mahesh's mother said that her son had not received wages for six months, and had struggled to feed his wife and four daughters. She alleged that the family had earlier lost a child due to lack of money for medical treatment. She broke down as she narrated how Mahesh, unable to bear the humiliation of repeatedly begging for his dues, consumed pesticide provided by the municipality.

KTR assured her full support from the BRS and promised financial aid in the names of Mahesh's daughters. He said that the party would stand by the family and deliver assistance through Satish Reddy within two days.

Mahesh's niece Jyothi also said that harassment and non-payment of salaries drove him to take the extreme step.

KTR later described the incident as a government-sponsored murder, and demanded that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and minister Seethakka take moral responsibility for Mahesh's death. He also urged the government to immediately pay an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh to the bereaved family and provide a government job to Mahesh's widow.

"It is shameful that the government can not ensure even the minimum monthly salaries for sanitation workers. It is nothing but the government's failure that drove Mahesh to suicide," he alleged, and demanded public apologies from Revanth Reddy and Seethakka for pushing workers into such dire situations.

He also condemned the ruling party leaders for circulating a video portraying Mahesh's death as accidental and claiming that the worker drank pesticide mistaking it for water. "Such propaganda is cruel, and intended only to cover up your gross failure and incompetence," KTR said.

The BRS leaders said that until justice was delivered to Mahesh's family, their fight against the Congress government would continue.

They also accused the ruling dispensation of reneging on promises made during the elections to pay salaries on the first of every month.