Date:03/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/03/stories/2008010351130300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

FBV leaders meet PM

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Forum for Better Visakha members called on the Prime Minister on Wednesday evening and submitted a memorandum to him.

In particular, the Forum members CS Rao and K. Bhanumathi appraised the PM about the physical, and occupational displacement being faced by the adivasis in the Agency areas, the fishing communities near sea coast and other weaker sections in North coastal Andhra, as a result of the various mining, industrial and other projects being set up. The Forum has requested the Prime Minister to consider grounding special safety net schemes to help these groups.

The PM appreciated the issues brought to his notice by the Forum, expressed his concern at the problems of the adivasis, the fisherfolk and the other weaker sections and asked the Forum to suggest ways and means of addressing these problems.

The Forum would separately work out the kind of schemes that would provide the necessary safety nets for the vulnerable sections of the society.