Date:16/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/16/stories/2005041603910500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Ration cards likely for poor families: Minister

Staff Reporter

Related file with YSR and a decision might be taken soon

SHABDIPUR (NIZAMABAD DT.): The Government is likely to take a decision on the issue of new ration cards to all eligible poor families in next 15 to 20 days. The file relating to the issuance of the ration cards is with the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Disclosing this at a press conference here on Friday, the Minister for Information and Public Relations, Mohammad Ali Shabbir, said the Government was treading cautiously to avoid mistakes that rolled down earlier in the issuance of cards on the basis of Below Poverty Line survey.

A sample survey was conducted in a few municipal towns and villages three months ago on the ration cards. The survey report was before the Chief Minister.

Almost all eligible people would get cards, he said.

Mr. Shabbir Ali also said the decision regarding the installation of a 220 kv electricity sub-station at Kamareddy town was in the final stage. "I have inaugurated two 33/11 kv sub-stations at Velupugunda in Machareddy mandal and Gargul in Kamareddy mandal this week. I am also making efforts to get two more 33/11 kv sub-stations for Kamareddy mandal,'' he said.

Earlier, the Minister, who participated in the Praja Patham programme at the village said,

The Chief Minister was convinced that diversion of the Godavari waters through the lift scheme was only the solution for meeting the water needs of Kamareddy area.

A committee has been constituted to study the issue, he said and added that water has to be lifted 600 metre high to bring it to Kamareddy constituency.