Date:11/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/11/stories/2005021103520500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CPI for increase in relief for fire victims

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, FEB. 11. The Communist Party of India (CPI) sought an increase in relief for the victims of the fire at Singareni Colony in Hyderabad and asked the Government to take steps to quickly rehabilitate them.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, CPI State Secretary, pointed out that the fire was started at three points when almost 3,000 residents of the colony were in Nalgonda attending the CPI's public rally. He wondered why it was that only the dwellings of CPI supporters were targeted. Even though he refused to divulge names, he said that people know which real estate mafia is responsible for this arson and warned that police investigations should not protect them.

`Relief paltry'

The relief of Rs. 2,250 is inadequate, Mr. Reddy, who represents the area in Parliament, said. He also pointed out that there were too many bureaucratic restrictions in the VAMBAY scheme for needy people to benefit and wanted the Government to remove these.

Mr. Reddy announced that the CPI would hold Statewide programmes on February 28, which has been termed `Peoples demand day'.