Date:30/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/30/stories/2006123004290300.htm

Karnataka - Bijapur

Slum dwellers demand amenities

Staff Correspondent

BIJAPUR: Slum dwellers on Friday protested outside the Deputy Commissioners' office here demanding a separate Ministry to look after their affairs. Hundreds of activists took out a procession before assembling on the Deputy Commissioner's office premises.

They squatted on floor blocking the main entrance of the office.

The Bijapur Slum Abhivriddhi Samiti president, Akram Mashalkar; honourary president Arun Luis; coordinator of FEDINA, an NGO, Prabhugouda Patil; and others demanded basic amenities at all slums. They said the slum dwellers should not be evicted and their colonies must be developed.

The speakers criticised the Government for the poor in distribution of ration cards. Middlemen menace in the system must be prevented, they said.