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CPI legislator observes fast in Pondicherry

Special Correspondent

He withdrew protest after Rangasamy's assurance to consider demands

Pondicherry: The nominated legislator of Pondicherry Assembly and Secretary of the Pondicherry State committee of the Communist Party of India (CPI) N. Kalainathan, who commenced an `indefinite fast' on the premises of the Assembly here on Tuesday demanding release of funds, called it off a few hours later following an assurance by the Chief Minister N. Rangasamy that the member's plea would be conceded with immediate effect.

Mr. Kalainathan commenced the fast condemning the non-availability of funds to him under MLA Area Development programme and also virtual rejection of his rights to procure pension to the aged, the handicapped and the weaker sections of society. He told newsmen minutes after sitting in fast in the portico of the Assembly campus that he had submitted more than 40 applications seeking assistance from the Chief Minister`s Relief Fund to benefit the poor spread over different Assembly constituencies.

He said that when DMK-led coalition was in power in Pondicherry from 1996 to 2000 the nominated legislators were sanctioned the funds for them.

But the present Congress Government was treating nominated legislators only as ornamental pieces without sanctioning them rights on par with other MLAs.

At one stage, a delegation of office bearers of the party led by former Agriculture Minister R Viswanathan had a near heated discussion in the chamber of Chief Minister.

Sanction of funds

Mr.Viswanathan later told newsmen in the presence of the fasting member that Chief Minister had conceded the representation that more than 350 applications for the sanction of pension for the aged and other weaker sections would be cleared soon. The funds sought for MLA Area Development scheme would be available by first week of February. Several other issues raised by the legislator would also be sanctioned.

Following this assurance Mr.Kalainathan announced the withdrawal of his fast.

Among those who cheered him included the Leader of the opposition in Assembly, R.V. Janakiraman, the Pattali Makkal Katchi Parliamentary Party leader M. Ramadoss and a few legislators.

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CPI legislator observes fast in Pondicherry

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