Hyderabad, Jun 21: Apparently with an eye on expanding its social base, the BJP today sought constitution of three separate commissions to go into the problems of economically deprived sections among forward castes, physically handicapped people and tribals and suggest strategies for improving their living standards. The party president M Venkaiah Naidu addressed a letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee requesting him to set up the commissions and also called for 'preferential treatment' to farmers in terms of extending institutional loans.

"I have written a letter to Prime Minister today urging him to appoint these commissions," Naidu told a press conference here.

The BJP's request for institutional intervention in the case of vulnerable sections comes a day after its 'chintak baitak' (brainstorming session) where the issue of expanding the social base and party's electoral preparedness were discussed.
The party also decided to set up a committee to study the impact of WTO on farming sector and suggest concrete measures to safeguard farmers' interests, he said adding the composition of the committee would be announced in a couple of days.

"It (committee) will submit its report by August 15," he said.

Bureau Report