Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Naidu vows to fulfil promises

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD May 30. Defending the announcement of sops to different sections of society, the TDP president and Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has said that the Government will examine all avenues, including the reappropriation of budget to fulfil the promises.

In the light of mounting criticism from the Opposition that the sharp U-turn taken by the pro-reform Government was aimed at getting political mileage, the Chief Minister said though reforms in all sectors were inevitable, "there was nothing wrong in rescuing people, particularly the vulnerable sections, in distress.''

Ushering in reforms in all sectors be it administration, economic activities, labour or municipalities with a human face was the agenda of the ruling party during its more than seven-year tenure. In fact, developed countries like the United States were also taking up reforms with a human face, but only the priorities differ from place to place.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mr. Naidu refuted the criticism that the Government announced a sudden shift in its priorities with an eye on the next elections. The schemes announced by the Government were only in continuation with those already under implementation. In the light of the continuing drought which had adversely hit people, particularly farmers, "we had decided to go whole hog to rescue them by lending a helping hand.'' This was the reason behind the party finalising its agenda for an integrated approach for the development of the farming community. After elaborate discussion, it was decided to encourage formation of groups of farmers on the lines of the self-help groups to promote micro-credit facilities and reduce dependence on banks for their financial needs while the Government, on its part, would be extending all the necessary help for farmers' groups.

He said the Congress was spreading "false propaganda'' that the Government was concentrating on the development of the rural areas. In fact, the TDP Government spent more funds for the rural areas than the previous Congress Governments which was even evident from the fact that the complaints received by Congress leaders only pertained to individual grievances as a majority of the community needs were served by the infrastructure created by the Government. "But since problems were still persisting in the rural areas, the Government has decided to come to the help of the backward and vulnerable sections,'' he said.

For fulfilling the assurances made recently, the Government would take the advantage of flexibilities like advancing the implementation of the Velugu project in which there were leftover funds, utilise market committee funds, bonds for debt swapping and others besides taking up reappropriation of the budget, if necessary. The Government could go in for reappropriation of budget in view of the continuing drought and the process would not have any objections, he said.

Asked about the repetitions of the schemes in the Tirupati declaration adopted by the party, he said that the repetitions were bound to be there as development was a continuous process. However, the party gave priority to certain issues based on the developments taking place throughout the year before finalising the declaration at Mahanadu. "This year we have prioritised issues like women and youth empowerment, backward areas welfare and water management. Next year we will be concentrating on the preparation of the manifesto on which we will seek public mandate,'' he said adding in view of this, the party had given the "panchasutra,'' the five- point programme to leaders and the cadre to follow, in the implementation of the programmes in six priority areas.

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