Date:30/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/30/stories/2008033052260300.htm

Tamil Nadu

VCK to hold protests seeking waiver of cooperative loans

Staff Reporter

TIRUPATTUR: The Viduthalai Chiruthaical Katchi will stage a demonstration in all the district headquarters in the State demanding the government to waive the Rs.70, 000-crore loan availed of by people below the poverty line (BPL) through cooperative banks and TADCO, Thol. Tirumavalavan, president, Viduthalai Chiruthaical Katchi, said here on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference, he said that out of the total loan amount, Rs.5.50 crore had been given as loan for agriculture related activities. The remaining amount of Rs.64.50 crore had been given as loan to people coming in the BPL list under various heads. The Viduthalai Chiruthaical Katchi would be demanding the government to waive the total loan amount. The party cadres would stage demonstrations on April 7. He said his party would be awarding six people on the occasion of the Dr.Ambedkar’s birthday on April 14 for rendering yeoman service for the uplift of dalits. The award would be given at a function to be organized at Tiruchirapalli. The awardees would be given a citation and a cash ward of Rs.50, 000 in recognition of their service.

He said some of the nomadic communities including the Kurumbar and Narikuravas should be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST).