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Land acquisition for new housing to start today

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, JAN. 18. The Lt. Governor, M.M. Lakhera, and the Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, visited some of the tsunami-hit villages here today.

Mr. Lakhera acquainted himself with the topography of the sites proposed for housing projects for the displaced fishermen.

When Mr. Lakhera arrived at Kulathumedu road in Ganapathichettykulam, a large number of residents (non-fishermen) handed petitions to him protesting against the Government move to use poromboke land for the housing scheme.

They contended that a majority of them living on the western side of the East Coast Road in the village were agriculturists making a livelihood through farm works. Should the land be acquired for the housing scheme, they would not have a place to thresh and dry the grains.

The residents told Mr. Lakhera that an alternative site was available on the southern part of ECR and the Government could acquire it.

The Lt Governor and the Chief Minister, accompanied by the Education and Revenue Minister, K Lakshmianrayanan, and the Chief Secretary, C.S. Khairwal, and the District Collector, V. Candavelou, then drove to Sinna Kalapet, Solai Nagar, Vaithikuppam, Kurichikuppam, Vambakeerapalayam and Dubrayanpet.

Mr. Lakhera told newsmen at Kurichikuppam that land was not easily available in Pondicherry. His visit to villages enabled him to find out their problems. "We have listened to the grievances of the people and we will resolve them."

The process of acquisition of sites would begin tomorrow, Mr. Lakhera said.

Temple land

Mr. Rangasamy told newsmen that the Government would initiate action to acquire temple and poromboke land. "Our concern is that houses should come up at safer places."

The Chief Minister said there were no problems for selection of sites in Karaikal and in fact the process would begin early.

Unscheduled halts

The Lt Governor and Ministers had to make unscheduled halts at some villages to listen to representations from residents waiting along the route. Mr. Lakhera told them that they should first allow the authorities to survey the damage.

The AIADMK legislators, A. Anbalagan and A. Kasilingam took the Lt. Governor and others around villages in Uppalam and Muthialpet Assembly segments respectively.

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