Date:20/07/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/20/stories/2004072004560300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

BJP seeks completion of pending irrigation projects

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, JULY 19. The Bharatiya Janata Party staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on Monday demanding completion of all pending irrigation projects in Rayalaseema region. Leaders of the party from the four Rayalaseema districts participated in the protest.

Speaking at the protest meeting the senior leader of the party, Baddam Bal Reddy, demanded that the Congress-led State Government take up all the pending projects immediately and complete them within five years as assured by the party in its election manifesto.

In another protest, the Netaji and Quda Welfare Associations for the handicapped urged the Government to divert Central funds meant for their welfare through NSFDC. Funds allocated for their vocational training were also being misused by the officials, they alleged.

Dharna by medical representatives

The AP Medical and Sales Representatives Union also staged a dharna demanding withdrawal of the amendments to the Patent Act.

Speaking at the protest, the district secretary of the union, B. Sridhar Reddy, said pharmaceutical industry in the country had achieved self-reliance with the help of the Indian Patent Act, 1970. But recent amendments were ruining the industry by opening the floodgates to foreign companies to gain control on the Indian pharmaceutical market. The country's exports were also badly affected due to changes in the Patent Act, he claimed.