Vijayawada: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest here on Friday demanding the withdrawal of Government Order (GO) 673, alleging that it would pave the way for the transfer of municipal assets and public lands to large corporate companies while imposing additional financial burdens on citizens through garbage taxes and user charges.

The protest was held near the Collectorate under the leadership of CPM leaders, who symbolically burned copies of the GO and raised slogans against the State Government's policies. A memorandum seeking the cancellation of GO 673 was also submitted to district authorities.

Addressing the gathering, CPM State Secretariat Member Ch Baburao alleged that the State Government was moving away from its responsibility of providing civic services and was attempting to convert municipalities into commercial entities. He criticised both the Central and State governments, claiming that policies introduced in the name of development would ultimately benefit large corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Baburao contended that GO 673 would allow municipal lands, markets, commercial complexes, stadiums, auditoriums, and other public assets to be leased to private companies for long periods, potentially undermining public ownership. He further alleged that the order would lead to increased user charges for sanitation, drinking water, drainage, and other civic services.

CPM State Committee Member D Kasinath expressed concern over the privatisation of civic infrastructure and municipal services, stating that it could adversely affect workers and small traders.