In the scenic Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh, the 263 non-regular staff members of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) have initiated an indefinite strike starting this Saturday.

This move comes amidst the peak tourism season, with ASR district attracting numerous visitors due to its pleasant climate and popular attractions such as the million-year-old Borra Caves and the picturesque Araku Valley.

The striking employees, operating under the banner of the AP Tourism Contract, Manpower, Daily-Wage Workers Union affiliated with the CITU, have put forth several demands. 

Their primary requests include the regularization of services for those employed on a contractual and daily wage basis, as well as improved wages and incentives. The protesters are adamant about continuing their strike until the APTDC addresses their concerns, even engaging in heated arguments with tourists at key destinations who did not support their cause, according to local police reports.

Despite assurances from APTDC Regional Director Phani Srinivas during failed talks on Friday, the protesters remain resolute in their stance. They reject the proposed resolution timeline of March 2024 and are seeking an immediate response from the APTDC leadership. Deesari Gangaraju, the honorary president of the union and ZPTC member from Anantagiri mandal, emphasized the urgency of their demands.

In response to the ongoing strike, R.K.S.V. Kumar, another leader of the union, warned of potential escalations if the government does not engage in constructive dialogue. He suggested the possibility of shutting down popular tourist spots like Borra Caves as a measure to intensify their protest.

Representing the protesters, K.M. Srinivasa Rao from CITU highlighted the economic significance of tourism in Araku, Borra Caves, and Anantagiri for the APTDC. Despite these areas contributing substantially to the corporation's income, Rao asserted that approximately 90% of the staff in these locations, predominantly tribals, are not receiving adequate wages and incentives for their livelihood.

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