DFID poverty plan

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF NGOs

The UK's Department For International Development (DFID) has claimed to have lifted over 2.3 million people out of poverty in five districts through the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihood Programme.

The seven-year programme covering Kurnool, Anantpur, Prakasam, Mahaboobnagar and Nalgonda ended in December 2007, with the DFID aid comprising Rs 370 crore so far.

Farmers' rally

Chandigarh Sanjha Morcha, a farmers' NGO, has sought a regulatory authority to vet land deals in the Union territory. It will carry out a rally on September 12 to Parliament.

The organisation has been protesting against acquisitions by the Chandigarh Administration for an IT park, a film and media city, an amusement park and a hi-tech mandi. It also demonstrated against the subsequent handing over of the land to developers like Parsvnath and DLF for huge profits.

Dalits seize land

More than 5,000 families of Dalits and adivasi landless farm labourers from six districts of Kerala occupied around 2,000 acres of government land in Chengara village of Pathnamthita.

A local court has ordered evacuation but the people backed by NGO Sadhujana Vimochana Samyutha Vedi has vowed to stay put and grow paddy in what is now a rubber plantation.

CMS Vatavaran film fest

CMS Vatavaran, a civil society organisation, is staging its fourth environmental and wildlife film festival from September 12-16 in the Capital. Started in 2002, the festival showcases award-winning films and travels to various parts of the country through the year.