The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : BJP rally tomorrow

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Monday, Jan 03, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

BJP rally tomorrow

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 2. Protesting against the `indifferent' attitude of the Government towards toddy tappers and seeking alternations to the G.O. 767, various affiliated bodies of the Bharatiya Janata Party will take out a rally in the city on January 4 that will later culminate in a public meeting at the Nizam College grounds.

The former Union Minister and BJP national vice-president, Bandaru Dattatreya, told reporters here on Sunday that the meeting was an a political one and people from all parties had pledged their support for it. He said since the G.O. 767 came into effect banning the sale of toddy in the city and municipal limits, lakhs of people have lost their livelihood. Out of the 12,600 toddy tappers societies in the State more than 200 were closed down and the families depending on it were living in worst conditions.

He said several Congress leaders were also in favour of scrapping the G.O. but the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was firm on its implementation for reasons unknown.

The Himayathnagar MLA, G. Kishen Reddy, wanted to know the stand of the Congress on the issue and said they should prove their sincerity towards the improvement of toddy tappers' lives by bringing pressure on the Government. He said the Chief Minister had promised to respond positively when the issue was raised in the Assembly but till date nothing had come out of his assurance.

Arrack flow

Mr. Reddy accused excise officials of framing toddy tappers in false cases turning a blind eye to the free flow of arrack in villages. "The Government is not sincere in stopping the illegal manufacturing and sale of arrack while it wants to harm the interests of toddy tappers", he alleged.

Mr. Dattatreya also sought the reversion of hike in telephone charges in public booths.

He said it was unfair to increase the price from Rs. 1.25 to Rs. 2 for a 90-second pulse call hitting the physically challenged and women who run the public phone booths. The city BJP president, C. Venkatramani, was also present.

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