Date:06/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/06/stories/2008030658470300.htm

A. Ajay Sarma

A. Ajay Sarma, general secretary, CITU Visakhapatnam district committee:

“Many farmers are in the grip of debt as they do not get remunerative price for their produce. Added to this, unavailability of adequate water for irrigation often leads to crop failure, which forces them to sell their lands. With no alternative occupation available in the villages, they find their way as construction labourers. But contractors do not adhere to labour laws. The problem is aggravated by lack of proper housing facilities and many are forced to live on the hills where there is no drinking water.”