The Hindu : National : V.P. Singh leads pro-poor rally

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Saturday, Dec 10, 2005

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V.P. Singh leads pro-poor rally

Staff Reporter

State neglects urban poor and drives them out also, says former Prime Minister

ARUING THEIR CASE: The former Prime Minister V.P. Singh, social activists Medha Patkar and Swami Agnivesh, along with members of various organisations at the Parliament Street Police station after courting arrest in New Delhi on Friday. -- PHOTO. PTI

NEW DELHI : Claiming that the recently launched National Urban Renewal Mission was aimed at developing 83 cities by displacing the poor, the former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, and environmental activist Medha Patkar on Friday led a large number of urban poor in protest against the scheme on Parliament Street. The protesters courted arrest outside the Parliament Street police station.

No social security

Addressing the activists, Mr. Singh lamented that the Government was neglecting the urban poor even when their services were needed for the overall growth of the economy. Most of the poor worked in the domestic and unorganised sectors and had no social security, he said. The state not only failed to provide them a roof over their head, but were also driving them out asit did not want slums.

The protesters included Communist Party of India general secretary A.B. Bardhan, social activist Swami Agnivesh and journalist and Member of Parliament, Kuldip Nayar.

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