Beware! Your hand-written passport is invalid

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Beware! If you have a hand written passport, you face the risk of not being allowed to travel abroad.

Indian government is following the International Civil Aviation Organisation deadline to make its passport machine readable. The deadline was over on November 24, 2015. This means all handwritten passports with pasted photographs issued earlier and those with 20-year validity is out of circulation couple of months ago. 

And Immigration department warns that anyone having a handwritten passport could face a risk of refused entry in international borders or cancelled trips in the airport or other destinations. 

Sources reveal that ICAO deadline could pose a huge challenge to passport offices in the country. While officials refuse to give exact figure of hand-written passports, it is learnt that as per figures available on November, there are 2.5 lakh hand-written or non machine readable passports still in circulation.

Interestingly, the effort to issue digital passports is posing a huge challenge to passport offices in India. As per government statistics, of the 1.27 billion population, there are 6.2crore passport holders. Interestigly, due to the digital revolution, there has been a 20pc growth in passport applicants. In 2010, the passport applicants were 60 lakh and in the year 2015, it has grown more than one crore, a year..

However, regional passport office in Chennai, which caters to nine districts including Puducherry, is working towards fulfilling the ICAO guideline. It has asked people to return such non-machine readable passports and go in for digital passports to comply with international norms. 

“We have notified people two years ago and have issued machine readable passports to all of them,” said the official.

Currently, Chennai Regional Passport Office issues 2,200 passports a day. “A total of six lakh passports were issued in 2015-16 which is in excess of 20,000 passports issued previous year. 

Interestingly, immigration officials have warned Indian citizens that countries following ICAO guideline would refuse entry to them.

However, ICAO has no official position or information on the possible consequences of not meeting the deadline. Sources say that member states may apply bilateral sanctions for instance, refusing admittance to holders of non-MRPs or making visa processing more onerous and costly because of associated risks. 

However, the prevalence of digital passports has reduced the circulation of fake passports. Immigration officials say that it is now very easy to detect fake passports and they have also warned people not to take passports from agents or touts..

  

Factfile;

1. The requirement that non-machine readable passports or hand writtens passports expire by November 24, 2015.

2. It applies to all types of passports -- ordinary, diplomatic and service. 

3. It does not apply to temporary travel documents or passports of limited validity in cases of emergency, which usually have a short validity period and are issued by consulates to distressed nationals.

4. Machine-readable passports permit a faster and more convenient border-control 

5. Those who want to renew passports can visit www.passportindia.gov.in or contact  national call centre (1800-258-1800 -Toll Free) 

Body of Tiruvottiyur beach boy recovered from sea by Coastguard chopper

Chennai:

A body of 13-year old student, who went missing while bathing at Tiruvottiyur seashore, was spotted and recovered from the sea by Indian Coastguard.

Bhuvanesh went missing on Monday evening and soon after the state coastal security police intimated Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

On reciept of information, a Coastguard  helicopter was tasked with the search. The body was spotted approximately 3 miles from Tiruvottiyur temple. It was later handed over to local police.

writingonblog uncensored: Republic Day has a robotic flavour at IIITDM camp...

writingonblog uncensored: Republic Day has a robotic flavour at IIITDM camp...: Chennai: Imagine a remotely controlled  boat during the floods in  Chennai to ferry out flood  hit and a underwater robot to  rescue...

Republic Day has a robotic flavour at IIITDM campus

Chennai:

Imagine a remotely controlled boat during the floods in Chennai to ferry out flood hit and a underwater robot to rescue people.

Students of Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing in Kancheepuram have been trying to design such a boat and a underwater robot in a large rainwater harvesting pond which was filled after the recent heavy rains.

Interestingly, the Republic Day had a robotic flavour at the campus as students developed several hands-on demonstration of fun robotics projects for visitors and children.

“The goal is eventually to promote affordable robot building by school and college students and teachers, so that children can be introduced at an early age to "playful learning" with robots, electronics and computers on a large scale, thereby promoting 'technological literacy', said the Institute’s founder director, Prof Gnanamoorthy

Gnanamurthy says that IIITDM students also have developed an underwater robot (remotely operated vehicle) that can be operated in the Designers Club water tank by students and children from anywhere, over the Internet. 

Interestingly, the robots in the campus are designed and developed by students and staff using inexpensive commercial off the shelf components like motors, stock materials, micro-controllers and sensors.

Programme coordinator Prof Pandian says that the goal is to disseminate knowledge of cutting edge disciplines like robotics, electronics, and computers to college and school students through playful learning, and low-cost Do It Yourself (DIY) and Build Your Own projects and prototypes, and encourage entrepreneurship using successful projects among students and faculty.

He says that the institute is also in the process of formulating a new undergraduate programme ‘Smart Manufacturing.

writingonblog uncensored: Germany urges political parties to sink differenc...

writingonblog uncensored: Germany urges political parties to sink differenc...: Chennai: Germany on Thursday expressed  concern over the delay in  implementation of Goods and  services Tax Bill and urged  all parties...

Germany urges political parties to sink difference to clear GST for India’s sake

Chennai:

Germany on Thursday expressed concern over the delay in implementation of Goods and services Tax Bill and urged all parties to bury their difference for the sake of India’s interest.

Addressing the Annual Regional Meet 2016 ‘Make in India - Made by Germany’ here on Thursday night, German ambassador to India Martin Ney said that political parties should join hands to pass the GST Bill as well as The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2015 ifor the sake of India’s interest.

He also said that the renegotiation on free trade agreement between India and European Union is likely to begin in the first half of this year..

“A top level meeting with Indian government and European Union is likely to happen on first half of this year,” said Ney.

He said that the free trade agreement would attract more Indian investment to EU and German and European investment to India.

The FTA talks with the EU were called off last year in response to its ban on sale of around 700 Indian pharma products.

Meanwhile, the Union government is planning a fast track mechanism to woo German investment in India and a meeting is going to be held soon in New Delhi.

Ney also said there is an urgent need for reforming ease of doing business (EDB) in India. “There are more than 30 to 35 permissions needed to set up a business in India and this is a huge bottleneck,” he added.

He also highlighted that of the 1,800 German companies in India, only hundreds are located in southern India. Ney also said that German company Siemens along with consortium of other companies would play a key role in smart city project.

“The pilot project will be announced by the government by the end of this month,” he added

Tamil Nadu Industries Secretary C V Sankar vowed that the state will take measures so that the city doesn’t experience again the floods that it witnessed last month.

He said that obstructions along the waterways would be cleared as well as the livelihoods of people who were forced to to live on the banks of the rivers would be protected.

writingonblog uncensored: Students have a solution for implementing helmet r...

writingonblog uncensored: Students have a solution for implementing helmet r...: Chennai: As law enforcement agencies  are battling on how to  implement the helmet rule  strictly, a group of students  lead by their ...

Students have a solution for implementing helmet rule

Chennai:

As law enforcement agencies are battling on how to implement the helmet rule strictly, a group of students lead by their project trainer had come out with a innovative idea of how people riding bikes would have to compulsorily wear a helmet.

“We have devised a new technology where the bike would start only if the rider wears his helmet,” says Pooja, a 10th standard student of Kaligi Ranganathan Montford Matric Higher Secondary School in Perambur.

Interestingly, Pooja along with Jayakumar and Srinath, both 11th standard students, worked on the project for more than a month under their project trainer Nirmal Kumar.

It was an idea that materialised during InoVIT, a science contest for school children organised by VIT university. The students got the idea from The SKULLY AR-1, the first helmet to feature a built-in 180 degree Blindspot Camera and Heads-Up Display for unparalleled situational awareness and safety.

“We thought why not develop one for Indian bike users,” said Srinath and Jayakumar.

Kumar says that the helmet uses radio frequency communication where a transmitter is placed on the helmet and the receiver is placed in the bike which is connected to the control unit so that without wearing the helmet with the bike turned on, the engine will not get ignited.

Interestingly, the students have also developed auto dim dip in bike which helps drivers to have controlled driving in highways where the driver is not disturbed by the opposite vehicle coming with high beam lights.

”We have used a light sensor which senses the light from the opposite vehicle and not from street light. The bike headlight goes dim until the opposite vehicle passes the bike,” said Kumar.

Interestingly, the working model of KMR school won the first prize among 150 schools. The school has also applied to patent the technology.

writingonblog uncensored: Beware! You could be at risk of being frisked whil...

writingonblog uncensored: Beware! You could be at risk of being frisked whil...: Chennai: Beware! You could be at risk of being frisked and your baggage checked before boarding a flight a Chennai international as well...

Beware! You could be at risk of being frisked while entering the flight

Chennai:

Beware! You could be at risk of being frisked and your baggage checked before boarding a flight a Chennai international as well as domestic airport as airports across the country have been put on Red Alert.

Airport Authority of India, Chennai, director Deepak Shastri told Express that passengers should reach airport at least three hours prior to the departure of their flight in morning hours.

“The morning hours are usually the peak hours where the traffic is more and passengers are requested to undergo various security checks before boarding their flight. So they should be there three hours earlier,” said Shastri.

This time the security agencies are taking extra precaution and have introduced a new check after the security clearance.

This is just before boarding the flight. The passenger is at the risk of being frisked and his baggage checked before he boards the flight,” says Shastri.

A Airport terminal officer said that the silent security ladder check has been introduced three days ago. After the Pathankot attack, the security in airport was beefed up. “We relaxed it for a couple of days but now we are on Red Alert and the security is foolproof. We have also banned entry of visitors inside the airport till Republic Day,” he said.

Meanwhile, 400 Central Industrial Security Force personnel are patrolling the airport from inside. It is in coordination with airport authority officials, Airline officials, customs and immigration officials. One could see even the CISF dog squad screening suspicious passengers.

Inside airport baggages are double checked and unattended baggages are taken care off. There is also a quick reaction task force besides security forces are maintaining surveillance inside the airfields. Even the air cargoes are being checked.

Outside the airport, State police has sealed nearly all the entry points except the main entrance. Two wheelers are not allowed to park in the airport premises except parking lot. Fifty police personnel in each shift (total three shifts) are manning the airport.  

Airlines have intimated passengers to come three hours early so that they don’t miss the flight. A Jet Airways staff said that now baggage would be screened even while passengers are about to board flights.

While passengers find the checks uncomfortable but they agree that the security is paramount. “I came here three hours ago after I was intimated by Air India,” said a passenger. However, some are yet unaware of the stringent checks. An aged couple on way to Madurai came just two hours earlier fearing that they would miss the flight.  

Interestingly, airports across the state are on high alert. In Coimbatore,  Airport Director G Prakash Reddy has confirmed that the security measures has been stepped at the Coimbatore International Airport.

In Tiruchy, a multi layer security arrangements monitored by deputy commandant, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Prabhat Ranjan Mishra have been made to ensure nothing goes unchecked at airport. Around 350 CISF personnel in all capacities are involved on security duty round the clock in the premises.

Meanwhile, Quick Reaction Team of the CISF had been strengthened and sniffer dogs of the force trained in detecting explosive substances had been pressed into service.

AIADMK has a wafer thin majority over DMK, says opinion poll

Chennai:

If the opinion polls are to be believed, the ruling AIADMK has an upper hand over its rival DMK by a wafer thin margin during the 2016 assembly elections.

A three-phase survey carried out by People Studies, a multi-disciplinary research institute based in Theni, has predicted that AIADMK vote share in the state is currently pegged at 33.3 per cent, a mere .2 per cent more than DMK’s vote share of 33.1 per cent.

But then Prof S Rajanayagam of the institute, who addressed reporters here on Saturday, cautioned that the ruling party should be concerned over the loss of its vote share since November 2014, when the People Studies conducted the survey to ascertain how the political parties fare in the wake of 2016 elections

A sample size of 5,464 people was taken up across all districts in the state catering different age groups as well as people belonging to different walks of life. 

During the first survey conducted on November 2014, AIADMK had a vote share of 43 per cent. This dwindled to 34.1 after a second survey was undertaken on August 2015. The third survey put the vote percentage of AIADMK to 33.3.

Interestingly, issues like Tasmac, drinking water, power, jobs as well as floods in Tamil Nadu had been some of the issues that were detrimental in reducing the vote-share of AIADMK. 

During the survey, it was gleaned that a total of 31.6 per cent of people felt that the floods would affect the prospects of AIADMK.

Prof Rajanayagam said that the ratings of AIADMK dropped during the brief stint when Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was not at the helm. “When the Chief minister was at the helm, the vote share of AIADMK was 55.2 per cent. It declined to 21.9 per cent during her absence and rose to 33 per cent after Jayalalithaa returned to power.

To a query on whether issues like floods or Tasmac could play a pivotal role during the polls, Rajanayagam declined saying that the key factor would be the alliance which will play a decisive role in elections.

The survey also highlighted that 36.1 per cent of people perceive corruption in Government departments as a major issue. The survey also found out that 51.9 per cent of people feel that implementation of prohibition is a wise demand, but it in practical it can’t be implemented.

Navy boat sinks off Vizag coast

Chennai:

A 15.6 meter long interceptor craft of Indian Navy sank 90 nautical miles North east of Chennai early today.

Defence sources said that a fire broke out on the ship, which was on routine deployment at around 2am. This caused extensive damage to the Fibre-glass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) hull of the craft resulting in sinking of the boat despite all out efforts by the crew to save it. There were no casualties. Sources said that six crew members of the boat swam to safety. It is learnt that the interceptor craft might be heading towards Vizag when the incident could have happened.

writingonblog uncensored: Union Govt to borrow in dollars for key infrastruc...

writingonblog uncensored: Union Govt to borrow in dollars for key infrastruc...: Chennai: Union government is considering to borrow money in dollars from financial institutions to fund major infrastructure projects li...

Union Govt to borrow in dollars for key infrastructure projects

Chennai:

Union government is considering to borrow money in dollars from financial institutions to fund major infrastructure projects like inland waterways and port infrastructure, according to Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Delivering Indian Maritime University’s Second Convocation address, Gadkari highlighted that borrowing in rupees resulted in an interest of 12 per cent from the financial institutions while taking loan in dollars would result in only two per cent interest.

“We will be taking loan in dollars for key infrastructure projects like Inland waterways as well as port infrastructure,” said Gadkari.

Interestingly, this year the government is planning to develop three major ports, including Colachel in Tamil Nadu, Sagar Island in West Bengal and Dahanu in Maharashtra. The government is also planning to develop 70 of the 1,300 islands as tourism hubs to create jobs for the youth.

The minister also highlighted that his government would be developing Buckingham Canal as one of the inland waterways along with Ganga, Kerala Back waters, Mahanadi in Odisha and Brahmaputra.

During the next parliament session, he said the success story of waterways would begin.

The minister, however, tried to stay away from controversial topics like Sethu Samudram and the Maduravoyal-Chennai Port elevated corridor.

He, however, stressed on the growth of ports and said that this is the first time in the year that the 12 major ports as well as shipyards have registered a profit of Rs 6,000 crore. He also urged the ports to compete with international ports rather than compete among themselves.

He also said that his government would provide 20 per cent subsidy to ship building industry as it is going through a rough patch. He also suggested the use of liquefied natural gas as fuel to be used in the waterways.

Of the 2,449 students, a total of 366 IMU students received their degree in person. 

writingonblog uncensored: Tainted money was loan for an auditor in the car, ...

writingonblog uncensored: Tainted money was loan for an auditor in the car, ...: Chennai: Durga Prasad, Regional  Provident Commissioner of  Chennai region would have  never thought that he would  be accosted by Cen...

Tainted money was loan for an auditor in the car, says tensed PF commissioner

Chennai:

Durga Prasad, Regional Provident Commissioner of Chennai region would have never thought that he would be accosted by Central Bureau of Investigation on a Sunday afternoon while collecting the bribe money from the apartment of one of his consultant at Stedford Hospital Road in Ambattur.

It was a trap meticulously planned by Central Bureau of Investigation to catch Prasad with the bribe money extracted from a private educational institution in a matter pertaining to subterfuge of wages for the purpose of Provident Fund deduction or remittance in respect of their employees.

At around 14.55 hours, a white Scorpio bearing Tamil Nadu registeration number (TN 22 CL 0508) parked in front of Sudalaimuthu’s residence. It was driven by one Raja, an auditor. Inside the vehicle were Prasad and enforcement officer of employees provident fund organisation (EPFO) Elumalai.

As the vehicle halted, Sudalaimuthu came out of his apartment with a green plastic cover and handed it over to Durga Prasad. After taking a look inside the cover, Prasad handed it over to Elumalai. The notes were in the denomination of Rs 1,000 and had been withdrawn from Union Bank of India on January 2, 2016.

The entire operation was witnessed by a vigilance official who was briefed by CBI about the transaction. The official raised an alarm onece the transaction got over following which CBI officials intercepted the car and ascertained the identity of those inside the car and also their visit to the residence of Sudalaimuthu.

When queried, the regional provident fund commisioner became tense and said he had gone to the residence of Sudalaimuthu to get a loan that he requested from him. The amount is for Raja, the auditor, who was driving the car. However, Prasad could not explain the quantum of loan and after further questioning replied it was around Rs 20 to Rs 25 lakh.

In order to ascertain the facts, Sudalaimuthu was summoned by CBI. Sudalaimuthu revealed that following the instructions of Elumalai and another EPFO enforcement officer Manikandan, he recieved a sum of Rs 15 lakh from one Dasarathan and one Sengotaiyan of a private educational institution through his manager Surya Narayanan, a few days ago.

It is learnt that Sudalaimuthu got Rs 50,000 as commission for the entire transaction. Later during the interrogation, it was learnt through Elumalai that Manikandan recieved a sum of Rs 25 lakh from the representatives of the education institution.a few days back. The sum of Rs 15 lakh was handed over to Sudalaimuthu who was to deliver it to Durga Prasad.  

But then the entire transaction had gone wrong as CBI got a whiff of it

writingonblog uncensored: Regional Provident Fund Commissioner behind bars ...

writingonblog uncensored: Regional Provident Fund Commissioner behind bars ...: Chennai: Central Bureau of  Investigation has arrested  Durga Prasad, Regional  Provident Fund Commissioner  of Chennai Region, for  acc...

Regional Provident Fund Commissioner behind bars for accepting bribe

Chennai:

Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Durga Prasad, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner of Chennai Region, for accepting bribe worth Rs 14.5 lakh from a Chennai-based group of education institution.

A CBI spokesman said that along with Durga Prasad, two enforcement officers of -Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) -- Elumalai and Manikandan -- were arrested. Four more persons, including Sengotiyaan, the Estate Officer-cum-public relation officer of Saveetha Group of Institutions, were also arrested. 

The other three were identified as Sudalai Muthu, Suryanarayanan and Rajah. It is learnt that Sudalai and Suryanarayanan acted as a conduit in the transaction.

CBI said that Prasad has allegedly demanded a sum of Rs 25 lakh from the Saveetha Group of Institution for favouring the said Institution in the matter pertaining to subterfuge of wages for the purpose of Provident Fund deduction or remittance in respect of their employees.

CBI laid a trap and intercepted a vehicle in which the Regional Commissioner was travelling immediately after collection of alleged bribe of Rs 14.5 lakh from one of the conduit. 

The bribe was allegedly handed over by Sengotiyan, the Estate Officer-cum-PRO of the institution to the conduit.

It is also learnt that searches were conducted at the residence and office chamber of Regional Commissioner and also 18 other places including the premises of conduit which led to recovery of several incriminating documents and property documents.

CBI sources said that the raid was conducted on Sunday and the regional provident fund commissioner was arrested on Monday morning.

Surprising the arrest also came when the regional provident fund commissioner was supposed to address reporters at 4pm. A official release stated in the morning that the event ws postponed due to administrative reasons.

Meanwhile, all seven were produced before the special judge of CBI cases and were remanded to custody till February 1.

Further investigation is continuing, sources added

Technical snag grounds passengers of M V Nancowry

Chennai:

It was a travel plan which was crafted months ago by around 700 passengers and this went awry after Andaman Administration vessel M V Nancowry suffered snags in their two generator.

Trouble for the vessel started when .Mercantile Marine Department officials conducted inspection of the vessel when the ship was about to sail.

They found that two of the generators malfunctioned following which the MMD officials refused permission to the passenger ship.

There were around 700 passengers and they were asked to vacate the ship, said the port official.

This irked the passengers who gheraoed the Andaman administration office located near Shipping corporation of India office demanding boarding and lodging.

The protest was such that policemen from Harbour Police Station also reached the spot. “The protesters .left peacefully,” said a policeman from Harbour Police Station.

Port officials said that the sudden cancellation has put Andaman Administration in a fix as there is no provision for making hotel arangements as is in the case of air passengers.

“There are around 50 to 60 passengers who are still waiting and efforts are on to provide them with local arrangements,” said the official.

The vessel is likely to sail on January 14 provided the generators are up and running, sources added.

writingonblog uncensored: Anti-nuclear activists try to link flood-hit Chenn...

writingonblog uncensored: Anti-nuclear activists try to link flood-hit Chenn...: Chennai: The busy Chennai Egmore  station was in for a surprise  when they were given  pamphlets by anti-nuclear  activists who wanted t...

Anti-nuclear activists try to link flood-hit Chennai with Koodankulam movement

Chennai:

The busy Chennai Egmore station was in for a surprise when they were given pamphlets by anti-nuclear activists who wanted to  connect to flood-hit Chennai with their stance against nuclear projects in Koodankulam and Kalpakkam.

Speaking near the crowded passage under the watchful eyes of cops, anti-nuclear activist S P Udayakumar told Express that the campaign is launched to highlight how ineffective was the disaster management when natural calamity such as floods stuck Chennai.

“When the disaster management is not so effective during the floods, imagine what would be in store when a nuclear disaster strikes the villages in and around Koodankulam,” reasoned Udayakumar.  

“During the rains, immediate help was not forthcoming from the state and Centre immediately. If a nuclear disaster strikes, it is not visible to people and nobody knows how much impact it will cause,” said Udayakumar as activists raised anti-nuclear slogans.

Interestingly, Udayakumar questioned the viability of Koodankulam plant -I reactor. “It is being shut for the last six months. They are not sharing any information on safety analysis report, site evaluation report and reactor performance report,” he said.

“If the project is not viable then why are we continuing with Koodankulam Reactor 3, 4 and five” he added.

Interestingly, the anti-nuclear activists have times their campaign just at a time when the elections are in corner. “We are meeting the political leaders in the next three days and appeal them to take a stand,” added Udayakumar.

However, the anti-nuclear activist is not happy with the opposition DMK and DMDK. Tthey made tall promises but have been quiet on the anti-uclear issue. They never spoke for the people in Indinthikarai,” said Udayakumar.

Iterestingly, Udayakumar is also planning to start the next round of anti-Koodankulam protest. “This would be more drastic one than the earlier protest,” said Udayakumar.

Apollo Hospital Group under I-T scanner

Chennai:

Income Tax officials on Tuesday carried out searches on properties belonging to Apollo Hospitals across the country.

An Income Tax official said that searches have been carried out in 50 places in Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi.

A total of 50 teams were involved in the search operations, which was carried out in corporate offices and other premises, after officials got information alleging tax evasion by the Apollo Group.

The searches were carried out at round 8am and it is still undergoing. The officials refused to divulge any further information. It is learnt that in Chennai alone 20 places were searched.

To a query on whether any seizures were made, the source refused to divulge anything

Nearly 900 flood-hit families get new home

Chennai;

More than 900 flood-hit families from Athuma Nagar along the banks of Adyar got a new home at Ezhil Nagar Okkiam Thoraipakkam thanks to the efforts of Slum Clearance Board.

Slum Clearance Board sources said that till now a total of 900 families were resettled by the Slum Clearance Board till Saturday.

A Slum Clearance board source told Express that more than 600 families were relocated to  Okkiam Thoraipakkam till December 31, 2015 and about 300 families were resettled by the beginning of this year.

Interestingly. the scheme to resettle people is till on. Sources said that it is being done phase-wise.

Slum Clearance Board sources said that efforts are on to provide the families with all amenities.

Meanwhile, the children of the flood-hit families were also admitted to new schools.

“Till now nearly 75 students were admitted to nearby schools.  Most of the flood-hit have also been provided with ration cards,” sources added.

The state government plans to relocate 1,115 flood-hit families living on the banks of Adyar River under the first phase.

The government is providing Rs 5,000 as shifting allowance besides Rs 2,500 as subsistence allowance.

Interestingly, social activists feel the government has to look broadly on the issues of livelihood. “Here the livelihood is at stake. Mere Rs 2,500 is not enough. The government should look at providing alternate livelihood for people or fix a minimum wage as subsistence,” said Independent researcher Vanessa Peter.

She also urged the government to come out with a housing and resettlement and rehabilitation policy so that those who have been relocated have something to fall back on.