Date:20/09/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/20/stories/2003092005070400.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Concern over short shrift to rural uplift

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE SEPT. 19. The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president, D. Srinivas, has expressed concern over the rural development sector taking a back seat in the State. Addressing a largely attended public meeting here on Friday, organised by the party as part of the `Jana Jagarana Yatra', Mr. Srinivas pointed that during the Congress rule, rural development was accorded top priority, in accordance with the policies of the party.

Accordingly, its annual budget, which was Rs. 8,000 crores, was increased to Rs. 30,000 crores and all over the country, steps were taken to extend relief to those living in rural areas. Giving a go-by to rural development, the Chief Minister has been utilising the funds for `Janmabhoomi', he alleged. Mr. Srinivas pointed out while there was no dearth of funds, the number of beneficiaries had come down considerably. He also had a dig at the other parties for not taking the welfare of weaker sections seriously.

The PCC president referred to suicide of farmers in the State and held the TDP responsible for double standards. He pointed that the party found fault when N. Janardhana Reddy, as Chief Minister, sanctioned 12 medical and professional colleges. Now hundreds of colleges have been sanctioned and the demand had come down, resulting in fall in educational standards. Mr. Srinivas expressed serious concern at the deteriorating law and order situation in the State and said that Hyderabad had become a centre for mafia gangs. He pointed out that the accused in the Akshardham incident, murder of former Gujarat Home Minister, Haren Pandya, and other incidents used Hyderabad as a base.