Date:17/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041752340300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CPI (M) threatens to block release of water

Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM: State CPI (M) secretary B.V. Raghavulu has said that the party would not allow release of water through various irrigation projects if the relief and rehabilitation package to project oustees were not settled by May 1. He said that the party would intensify agitation thereafter.

Speaking at the public meeting organised by the party at Mettupaka, near Parvathipuram on Wednesday, where the police opened fire on Thotapalli displaced persons exactly on this date in 2005, Mr. Raghavulu said that the incident here had woken up the government to ponder over the R & R package to oustees under various other irrigation projects in the State. Yet, the government had not completely settled the issue, he added. He demanded that the government pay compensation, as per Supreme Court order, to farmers who have been tilling government lands. Mr. Raghavulu also demanded waiver of loans that the farmers had repaid rather than promising to compensate Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 each.

Welcoming the Rs. 2-a-kg rice scheme, he said that it was yet another poll gimmick and the government should make arrangements to supply other essentials at affordable rates. S. Punyavathi, the party State committee member, district secretary M. Krishna Murty, State Project Nirvasithula Sangam vice-president Bantu Dasu and others spoke.