The Hindu : CM's gesture sparks donation spree

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

CM's gesture sparks donation spree

By Our Staff Reporter

THIMMASAMUDRAM (PRAKASAM DT.) JAN. 9. In a goodwill gesture the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday during a Janmabhoomi gram sabha donated Rs. 3,000 from his pocket for the mid-day meal scheme. He said this would mark the inaugural of collecting donations for the scheme in the State.

He handed over the money to the village sarpanch, Nageswar Rao, asking him to deposit the same in a bank on the name of school education committee. The money would be used for providing better meals to poor schoolchildren, he said.

Following his cue, leaders on the dais including the MP, Karanam Balaramakrishna Murthy, and others offered their contributions. The MP offered Rs. 30,000, his month's salary. The Visakhapatnam-I MLA, Kambhampati Haribabu (BJP), who also belongs to the village, gave Rs. 5,000. Similarly, one Mr. Karanam Madhava Rao, donated Rs. 50,000 taking the total amount to Rs. 1.60 lakhs.

When some outsiders came forward to lend their mite to the scheme, Mr. Naidu said donations should be accepted only from natives. Others may donate their money to the village education committees of their respective villages, he suggested.

He also said donations could be given either in cash or kind for the sustenance of the mid-day meal scheme. He complimented the gesture of the MP, Balaramakrishna Murthy, when a villager told him that the latter had already distributed plates and tumblers to 700 children from four schools with his own money.

Mr. Naidu said this year about four-lakh drought pensions would be given. Under the Girl Child Protection Scheme, 46,000 girls would benefit and a sum of Rs. 5,000 would be deposited on each girl's name. Under the CMEY, 10,000 groups would be provided assistance, he added. He distributed assets worth Rs. 1.02 crores under various schemes.

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CM's gesture sparks donation spree