In separate statements sent to the State government, they have alleged that out of 186 affected villages in the tehsil, the residents of 57 villages have not received the financial aid from the government.

The farmers incurred huge losses as their standing crop was destroyed by the unseasonal rains that lashed the region in October, 1997. It is alleged that due to the ``indifferent attitude'' of the officials concerned, the government extended an assistance of only Rs 32 lakh for the tehsil which was quite less as compared to the actual crop destruction. It is further alleged that even the sanctioned amount was not properly distributed among the affected farmers.

Farmers at 57 affected villages were metedout step-motherly treatment while those at five villages - Veltur, Shikarpur, Bothli, Gonha and Sonpuri - were excluded from the official list of beneficiaries, it is alleged. Thanks to the PS Block Development Officer and the Agriculture Officer.

The PS chairman and others alleged that these officials sent a report that all affected farmers in these 57 villages were given government assistance which was not true. Though the rain-hit farmers were facing acute financial hardship, the PS Block Development Officer sent Rs 7 lakh back to the Zilla Parishad instead of distributing the amount, it is alleged.

The complainants have demanded a thorough probe into the matter and stern action against the concerned officials, if found guilty. They have warned of an agitation if the government continued to ignore the affected farmers' problems.

WORKSHOP ON JOURNALISM: With a view to educating the masses, the scribes should avoid all sorts of temptations and must cut apart political barriers while doing theirjob, said Suresh Dwadashiwar, the resident editor of the Nagpur edition of Marathi daily Loksatta.

He was speaking at the day's workshop on journalism organised under the auspices of the Nagpur branch of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University recently. Misar, the divisional director of the Open university centre, T B Golhar of the Nagpur Shramik Patrakar Sangh, A K Dey, principal of CP & Berar school, Sudhir Pathak, the executive editor of Tarun Bharat, Dr Sudhir Bodhankar and Vivek Aloni were the guests of honour.

Dwadashiwar formally inaugurated the workshop by lighting the traditional lamp while Sudhir Pathak, who presided over the inaugural function, offered floral tributes to goddess Saraswati.

Dr Sudhir Bodhankar made the introductory remarks. Misar, T B Golhar and Dey also spoke. Dwadashiwar feted Pathak on the occasion by giving him a shawl and shrifal

Jalandar Purohit (Electronic media), Charudatta Kahu (Newspapers and students), Adv Harshawardhan Nimkhedkar (Lawspertaining to the newspapers), Nitin Totewar (Feature writing) and Sudhir Pathak (Editorial abilities) guided the participants at the camp.

Sudhir Bhagat conducted the proceedings and Sunil Tandulkar proposed a vote of thanks.