TNN
 
Hyderabad, Jul 6: Chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy held a meeting here on Sunday to resolve the `slapgate' row between rural bank employees' union and Congress MP Manda Jagannadham of Nagarkurnool.

A settlement was reached between the leaders of AP Regional Rural Banks Employees Association (APRRBEA) and the MP at the meeting, the association said. Earlier, the MP had apologised to the Uppununthala Grameen Vikas Bank manager Ravinder Reddy for slapping him. The MP's ire was over non-release of loans for SC/ST beneficiaries by the manager.

The MP said his intention was "not to hurt the manager but to raise the concerns of SC/ST beneficiaries.'' In response, the union leaders said they face various constraints in releasing the amounts. In spite of various hurdles the rural banks had financed over four lakh women groups, the association said.

It may be recalled the association had started a week-long agitation to protest the slapping incident.