NGOs to organise Padyayatras

Jaipur, Aug 1 (UNI) Various non-governmental organisations(NGOs) working for the cause of awareness over people's participation in governance will organise mass Padyayatras from August 9 to 21 in protest against the government's "indiscriminate decisions" on issues like Special Economic Zones, cultivation of Jatropha(Ratanjot) and Dalit Land Rights.

Mazdoor Kisan Sangathan leader Magsaysay Awardee Aruna Roy said here that approximately 500 people will begin "Jan Adhikar Yatra" from August Kranti Day on August 9 for Jaipur from Ajmer, Alwar, Sikar and Tonk, creating awareness, informing people and building public opinion about the government's "anti-people policies".

The padyatras will culminate in Jaipur for a weaklong sit-in from August 21 to 26, she said.

This campaign is not just about a single set of issues, but more fundamentally about "reclaiming democracy and ensuring people's participation in the democratic process", Ms Roy said.

Ms Roy said that poor people's land should not be given away anywhere in the country for Special Economic Zones and where land is being alloted, it be returned to the farmers and the entire Act be annuled.

Ms Roy also condemned the state government's policy of aggressive promotion of Jatropha cultivation for biodiesel production, not only on private land, but also by handing over vast tracts of so-called wasteland (60 lakh hectares) to companies.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act be implemented in all districts of Rajasthan and wherever it is currently in operation, the minimum wages be paid fully to the labourers, she demanded.

She also demanded immediate passage of central legislation on social security, for continuance of the restriction on the sale of SC/ST land to non-SC/ST people.

She also expressed her dissatisfaction over the government's "improper and ineffective implementation" of Right to Infroamtion Act(RTI Act) in the state.

UNI