Maharashtra denies permission to Widows to meet Kalam

Courtesy National Hindu -
Maharashtra denies permission to farmers' widows to meet Kalam

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200706131927.htm

Nagpur, June. 13 (PTI): The Maharashtra Government has denied permission to an NGO to lead a delegation of widows of farmers who committed suicide to meet President A P J Abdul Kalam during his visit to Yavatamal on June 15.

The Samiti had sought a five-minute appointment with the President to brief him about the prevailing situation and the President's office also had shown keenness.

But the Maharashtra government, citing administrative and law and order problems, has denied such permission, Samiti president Kishore Tiwari said in a release today.

He said the government wants only the leader of the delegation to meet the President but this will not serve the purpose. If the President interacts with farmers and the widows, he will come to know about the condition of distressed farmers.

He said the Samiti, which does not want to politicise the issue, had planned an audience with the President but state government had used pressure to cancel the meeting.

The Samiti has now decided to go ahead with a protest by the widows during the President's visit.