Date:20/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/20/stories/2004122006860500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Union Minister hails talks with naxalites

By Our Special Correspondent

ONGOLE, DEC. 19. The Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Oscar Fernandes, has complimented the Andhra Pradesh Government for initiating peace talks with naxalites.

Speaking to newspersons at Chirala today, he said that if the talks yield results, the Central Government would ask other State Governments, which are facing the extremist problem, to follow suit. He pointed out that the Central Government has already been holding talks with Nagas in the North-East to put an end to violence.

Anti-AIDS programme

Mr. Fernandes said that the number of AIDS patients had gone up to 51 lakhs in the country, taking India to the second place in the world. He said that the Andhra Pradesh Government would implement a programme with the help of the United Nations to check the spread of AIDS. It would form committees in all the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies to implement the programme. United Nations Organisation Executive Director, Peter Quo, hailed the efforts of the State Government to check the menace of AIDS.

Mr. Fernandes is in Chirala to participate in a religious programme of the Lutheran church. Rajya Sabha member, J.D. Seelam, too participated.

Weavers' problems

Handloom weavers met the Minister and explained their woes. They sought bank loans for construction of houses.