Social security card holding Bengal villagers get land grants, rice subsidies

Jhargam (West Bengal), Aug 16 (ANI): Seeking to encourage and give hope to villagers possessing social security cards, authorities in Jhargam town in West Bengal's West Midnapore District distributed rice at subsidized rates of Rs 2 per kilo, along with land grants.

The authorities said that so far they have covered 65 families. "We are commencing this programme in all the BDOs (Block Development Offices). We have called 65 families here and are giving rice at two rupees per kilo," said C. Murugan, Sub-Divisional Officer, Jhargram area.

Growing Maoist violence is worrying investors, forcing authorities to fight back aggressively in the hope of luring up to seven billion dollars worth of funds needed to boost coal and iron ore output, which is vital for growth.

Maoist rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor and disenfranchised, and find support among millions of tribal and lower caste people who accuse the state and big firms of neglect and exploitation in mineral rich regions. By Rick Sunder(ANI)