The Hindu : Front Page : Dharmana incurs wrath of Vamsadhara oustees

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 12, 2005

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Dharmana incurs wrath of Vamsadhara oustees

Special Correspondent

Prevented from performing `bhoomi puja' for balancing reservoir

ON THE DEFENSIVE: Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation Dharmana Prasada Rao addressing Vamsadhara project oustees at Hiramandalam on Sunday.

SRIKAKULAM : Owing to strong opposition by oustees of the Vamsadhara second phase of the stage 11 project, Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation Dharmana Prasada Rao could not perform `bhoomi pooja' for a balancing reservoir at Parapuram and lay the foundation for a housing colony for oustees at Hiramandalam on Sunday. He, however, made `ankuraarpana' for the same work.

Farmers gathered in large numbers at Hiramandalam and raised slogans against the Minister.

The Minister's convoy was mobbed and he was forced to remain inside the car for more than an hour. Realising that farmers were in no mood to relent, Mr. Prasada Rao came out of the vehicle and announced that he would not perform either `bhoomi pooja' or lay the foundation for the housing colony.

Action promised

The Minister said the Government had announced a package for oustees and if officials were not implementing it, he would ensure its implementation. ``You have sought some additional benefits. I will take them to the notice of the Cabinet," he said.

The Minister later made a detour and reached Kotturu and Parapuram via Palakonda and inaugurated the mandal development office building and distributed economic assets to members of self-help groups and other beneficiaries.

He reached the balancing reservoir site at Parapuram and unveiled the plaque meant to formalise the performance of `bhoomi pooja'. This act of the Minister, who had earlier promised not to perform `bhoomi pooja,' was described by officials and Congress activists as `ankuraarapana' (ceremonious beginning).

Mr. Prasada Rao released a souvenir on the Parapuram balancing reservoir on the occasion.

Young men in 30-odd villages that face submergence under the project are finding it difficult to get sutable girls to marry.

They spoke about their peculiar problem at the farmers' gathering at Hiramandalam.

CPI(M) charge

Meanwhile, the district unit of the CPI(M) lashed out at the Minister for performing 'ankuraarpana' breaking his promise to project oustees.

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