The Hindu

Mangalore, Apr 3: Chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission M. Veerappa Moily has urged political leaders to create an "inclusive society" and ensure livelihood security, otherwise divisive forces will destabilise democracy.

Speaking at a conference of "head load" workers organised here by the Mangalore centre of the Kerala-based Swathantra Toilali Union (STU), Moily said in a democracy people's representatives should act "responsibly" and extend government's benefits to the last person in society.

This would ensure equitable distribution of country's wealth and resources among all, he said.

He, however, said that the country was today facing socio-economic strife, which could be seen in the growing number of un-organised workers, increasing poverty, naxalite menace, and the widening gap between the poor and the rich.

He said that 25 years ago only 20 districts in the country faced naxalite problem, but now at least 200 districts were facing it.

This showed that the distribution of socio-economic benefits had not reached the targeted social segments, Moily said. He suggested that un-organised workers should be organised on the lines of self-help groups and given credit linkage under micro-finance options.

He said perhaps there was no other time in history that was more important than the present day when livelihood security demanded more attention from those in power.

According to the convenor of the Mangalore branch of the Swathantra Toilali Union, Ivan D' Souza, the branch was launched with 500 members.