SC ruling upholds freedom of Press 

Tadepalli, 13 June: YSRTCU President P. Goutham Reddy stated that the Supreme Court’s orders declaring the arrest of senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao as illegal have served as a resounding rebuke to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He emphasized that the judiciary has shattered the shackles imposed on freedom of press by the Chandrababu government in the state. The Supreme Court’s verdict has made it clear to the entire nation that Kommineni’s arrest was unlawful.
Goutham further elaborated that the Supreme Court issued a historic order today, condemning the illegal filing of cases and the arrest of Kommineni Srinivasa Rao. The court’s ruling upholds media freedom, which reflects the sentiments of the people in a democracy. He noted that in just one year of Chandrababu’s rule, the state has witnessed anarchy, corruption, and violent policies. 
The Supreme Court’s verdict has effectively dismantled the authoritarian constraints placed on press freedom. Reddy also pointed out that Chandrababu incited his party workers and leaders to attack Sakshi Media offices, and this latest ruling serves as a warning against such lawlessness. The court further clarified that attributing statements to an analyst on TV channels is inappropriate. The orders expose the conspiratorial tactics employed by Chief Minister Chandrababu through Kommineni’s arrest.
Goutham accused Chief Minister Chandrababu of pursuing anti-labour policies, alleging that the government is amending several sections of the Factories Act to increase the workload on workers. He criticized Chandrababu’s sinister plan to extend the eight-hour workday, won through global workers’ struggles, to ten hours, with a circular already issued to this effect. Previously, workers could opt for 50 to 75 hours of overtime, but now the government plans to increase this to 144 hours, significantly adding to their burden. Earlier, workers received a one-hour break after five hours of work, but now they are required to work six hours continuously before getting a break. In emergencies, a ten-and-a-half-hour workday was implemented, but under Chandrababu’s regime, the aim is to enforce a twelve-hour workday.
Additionally, amendments to the Shops and Establishments Act are being introduced to strip authorities of their powers to inspect workers’ welfare facilities. In contrast, Reddy highlighted that during YS Jagan’s tenure, pro-labour policies were implemented, including the establishment of a corporation for outsourced workers, the public sector integration of RTC employees, and support for weavers and other workers. Under Chandrababu’s rule, not only has justice been denied to workers, but existing jobs have been eliminated. By increasing working hours and removing oversight of workers’ welfare facilities, the government is trampling on labour welfare.