Date:20/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/20/stories/2006012007480500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Surrendered Maoists told to make proper use of benefits

Staff Reporter

State ready to allocate land to them, says Collector

Maoists asked to repay bank loans

Sixty-three of them get temporary assistance

ANANTAPUR: The State Government was ready to take all necessary rehabilitation measures for the surrendered Maoists, District Collector Y.V. Anuradha said here on Thursday. But, they should make proper utilisation of the assistance extended by the Government and should repay the loans taken from banks, she urged the Maoists who had joined the mainstream.

Temporary aid given

In a programme conducted for the surrendered Maoists here, she stated that temporary assistance was given to all the 63 surrendered Maoists so far. She asked them to apply for rehabilitation measures.

The Collector stated that the Government was ready to give house sites and land for cultivation to the surrendered Maoists. Similarly, the administration was willing to give land for cultivation only in the native villages of the surrendered Maoists. But, many of them were asking for lands in neighbouring villages, which, she said, was not possible. Besides, the administration could not guarantee them that all of them would get cultivable lands.

The SC Corporation had already distributed some 6.5 lakh acres of land for cultivation and there was scarcity for cultivable lands. However, the Government would help the beneficiaries to develop the lands given to them suitable for cultivation under various schemes, Ms. Anuradha explained. Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Jain directed his subordinates not to harass the surrendered Maoists with cases.

Later, the Collector handed over demand drafts of Rs.1 lakh and Rs. 20,000 as reward to two surrendered Maoists, Muthyala Naik and Jayalaxmi.