HYDERABAD: The Government has decided to come out with a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package for people affected by the Outer Ring Road project in Hyderabad to stem the mounting criticism from the opposition parties and displaced families.

It is exploring several options including payment of compensation in addition to allotting suitable land and share part of the developed land with the affected people to make them "partners in development," Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, announced in the Assembly on Thursday while replying to a two-day debate on the alleged irregularities in ORR project before it was adjourned sine die.

Unlike the previous ten days, there was a qualitative difference in the proceedings on the last day. The debate came as a breather after Wednesday's acrimony. The Opposition as well as the Treasury benches got down to some serious business raising the level of the discussion.

The Opposition avoided provoking ruling party members while the Treasury benches displayed similar temper in disproving allegations against the ORR on technical, financial and environmental aspects. Every room in the Assembly premises, where the close circuit TVs were relaying the proceedings, was packed.

Dr. Reddy admitted that while several people whose lands lay adjacent to the ORR stood to benefit, there was bound to be "heartburn" for those who had lost their lands. "But the Government is exploring all possibilities to make the land-losers partners in the development," he said.

The Chief Minister refused to concede the Opposition's demand for compensation on land-to-land basis.

This was impractical and would lead to eviction of more people from their places to accommodate those affected.

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