Date:14/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/14/stories/2007071461081000.htm
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Andhra Pradesh

CPI(M) to step up stir

Staff Reporter

Focus on housing, land for poor

VISAKHAPATNAM: The CPI(M) has decided to step up its struggle for house sites and housing in the city.

Apart from the demand for title deeds (pattas), it wants one lakh houses to be built for the poor in the city and a solution to the Gajuwaka inam and the Simhachalam endowment land tangles.

Party city secretary K. Lokanadham told reporters here on Friday that protests would be organised in all 72 wards on July 14 and a demonstration would be held at the Collectorate on July 16.

Eight-day fast

From July 23 to 30, the party’s district leadership would go on an eight-day fast at the Collectorate.

On July 14, protests would be organised at Paradesipalem against the alleged corruption in Rajiv Gruhakalpa housing and also demanding houses to those left out.

The party wanted identity cards to all the houseless, release of 20 per cent matching grant by the State Government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and immediate construction of the 15,300 units sanctioned.

Move opposed

While opposing the supply of water to the Jindal’s alumina refinery in Vizianagaram district, Mr. Lokanadham said the Mayor’s recent announcement was unilateral and did not give due respect to the council resolution opposing it. Giving water to the refinery even after opposition from political parties, tribals and NGOs was against people’s opinion.

With the city itself facing a shortage of about 30 mgd against a present demand of 70 mgd, the decision was not justified, he felt.

He alleged that the State Government was interfering in the issue after the council passed a resolution.

Party leaders Botta Eswaramma, B. Ganga Rao and R.K.S.V. Kumar were present.

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