CM unveils package for weaker sections

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 15. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, unfurled a redesigned welfare package for the weaker sections costing Rs 443 crores.

Streamlining of welfare programmes for the poor is among the 70 suggestions the review and analysis committee of the Telugu Desam made to the Cabinet sub-committee set up to examine them. The sub-committee, consisting of Messrs T. Devender Goud, Y. Ramakrishnudu, K. Srihari and B. V. Mohan Reddy, examined the recommendations.

The Cabinet, which met on Monday, accepted the report of the sub- committee and decided to implement it straight away. Some of the suggestions were already under implementation at a cost of Rs. 291 crores. Decisions taken at today's Cabinet meeting involve an additional sanction of Rs 152 crores taking the total to Rs. 443 crores.

Briefing reporters later, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu said a commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes would be set up soon as recommended by the Justice K. Punnaiah Commission and a mass awareness campaign on eradication of untouchability launched on November 1.

Major actions cleared by the Cabinet include: kerosene supply to one-cylinder beneficiaries of Deepam, welfare pensions every two months, payment of ex gratia in 30 days to toddy tappers dying in harness, compassionate employment to civilian victims of extremist violence, matching grant for women's thrift groups, steps to open mahila banks in mandals, Janmabhoomi works under the aegis of the district development and review committee, clearance of backlog posts of SCs (8500), release of State share of Rs 12 crores for a Rs 80-crore coffee plantation, Rs 11 crores from central market committee funds for streamlining rythu bazars.

He said the Aadarana scheme for artisans was being redesigned and fresh guidelines were being framed. Modern power tools would be given, 50 per cent to groups and 50 per cent to individuals. Special anganwadi centres would be set up in tribal areas. Break- up of the Rs 152-crore sanctions: Rs 77 crores for scheduled castes, Rs 40 cr for STs, Rs 30 cr for BCs, Rs 2 cr. for disabled, Rs 3.87 cr. for women and child welfare and Rs one cr, for the minorities.

Decisions already under implementation include coverage under the Apatbandhu accident relief scheme up from 2000 beneficiaries to 3000 and amount of ex gratia reduced from Rs one lakh to Rs 50,000, steps to build 15 lakh tonne godown space by March, Janmabhoomi twice a year, CMEY group strength reduced from 15 to 5, drought pensions, waiver of power surcharge for farmers, power connection to 5,000 weaker sections habitations, Rs 55 cr from market fund for link roads, Rs 164-cr interest rebate on crop loans, etc.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress during the consumer week organised by the Transco all over the State. A total of 1,95,489 complaints were received, of which 58,888 were attended to (30.12 per cent). The complaints related to revenue (89,636), technical (59093), commercial (25152), theft (189) and general (21,419). He said timeframe was fixed for redressal of the grievances and district and Assembly constituency committees would be formed.

Solving relatively minor problems like voltage, replacement of damaged poles, additional poles, additional street lights and shifting of lines or distribution transformers were estimated to cost Rs 64 crores. But heavy investment was required to attend to major demands like erection of substations (Rs 966 cr), distribution transformers (Rs 317 cr) and extending supply to villages/hamlets Rs 147 crores. It would cost Rs 1493 crores to attend to all complaints.

The Cabinet also reviewed the implementation of the Food-for-work programme.

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