Date:07/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/07/stories/2006040714170300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

APMC workers continue protest in Bellary

Staff Correspondent

Effigy of the APMC secretary burnt

BELLARY: Workers at the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), who have been agitating for the past four days under the banner of the Bellary APMC Hamals' Association, on Thursday burnt an effigy of the APMC secretary against the delay in fulfilling their demands.

Their demands include allotment of sites, issue of title deeds, arrangements for loans under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, subsidy, and supply of uniforms.

Aleshwar Gowda, president of the association, said various welfare schemes of the Government were not reaching the APMC workers.

He said the APMC, which was the nodal agency, was not remitting its share of the insurance scheme announced by the Centre. According to him, under the scheme, the Centre contributes Rs. 100, the nodal agency Rs. 40 and the beneficiary Rs. 40. But the APMC had asked the beneficiary to remit its share which only meant exploitation. He urged the APMC to remit its share.

Mr. Gowda said the association would intensify the agitation if its demands were not fulfilled by April 13.