Centre hints at inking agreement with agitating tribals

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that "the nation will get happy news" in Agra when the rally of landless poor, led by Ekta Parishad leader P V Rajagopal, reaches there this week.

"We are having a constructive view of the demands raised by Ekta Parishad and we have discussed a lot over it. I am happy that we are heading towards an agreement and the day after the nation will get a happy news from the city of Taj Mahal (Agra)," Ramesh told reporters after his meeting with the representatives of Parishad here today.

The Minister said he would address the landless poor in Agra on Thursday.

Under the banner of Ekta Parishad, headed by social activist P V Rajagopal, thousands of people are marching to Delhi from Gwalior demanding a comprehensive National Land Reforms Act and effective implementation and monitoring institutions to provide access to land and livelihood resources to the poor landless, homeless and marginalised communities.

The 'Jan Satyagraha' began on October 2 and is scheduled to carry on for one month before culminating in New Delhi. The protesters would cover a distance of about 320 km by October 28.

Ramesh, who had gone to Gwalior along with Minister of State for Industry and Commerce Jyotiraditya Scindia to pacify the activists, said that "I am fully hopeful that when I return from Agra everyone will he happy.

"I will address from their camp and we are heading in a direction from where we can sign the agreement. I have full hope that the day after there will be a historic agreement in Agra," Ramesh said.

S C Behar, a member of the Ekta Parishad, said that "a detailed account is being prepared and the day after you may get some very interesting things.

"There is a hope that good things will happen the day after," he said.

Chief Minister Chouhan would reach Agra and take part in the 'Jan Satyagraha' by marching with them for around 10 kms, Parishad coordinator Jayant Singh Tomar told PTI.

"Chouhan would leave for Agra tomorrow to express solidarity with those marching to Delhi on the issue of land reforms and right to shelter among other issues," official sources said in Bhopal.