The Hindu : National : Probe ordered into attack on Dalits in Akola

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Wednesday, Sep 07, 2005

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National

Probe ordered into attack on Dalits in Akola

Special Correspondent

13 houses and two shops destroyed

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Tuesday announced a magisterial inquiry into the recent attack on Dalits in Akola district.

Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, he said 13 houses and two shops were destroyed in the attack. The total loss of property amounted to Rs. 5.47 lakh. The Government would rebuild the homes.

Referring to the flood relief operations, Mr. Deshmukh said farmers who had lost their crops would be compensated — Rs. 25,000 a hectare for irrigated land and Rs. 15,000 a hectare for unirrigated land up to two hectares. Since the Central aid was not yet approved, the State would fork out the relief amounts. So far the State has spent Rs. 429 crores for relief.

Sugar mills

The Cabinet also appointed a committee to look into the revival of sick sugar mills. There are 154 sugar factories in the State, out of which 73 are sick.On the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) scam in Solapur district, he said the Collector, Manisha Verma, who was transferred, was also in a way responsible, as the corruption had taken place during her time. He had appointed the principal secretary EGS to inquire into the scam but the report was yet to be finalised.

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