Date:29/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/29/stories/2007092961400700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Move on rice scheme ‘leaked’: Mysoora

Staff Reporter

Telugu Desam Party economic reforms committee had given nod to free power, rice scheme

ANANTAPUR: Telugu Desam Rajya Member M.V. Mysoora Reddy on Friday claimed that a ‘leak’ of the TDP’s policy decision on the Rs. 2 per kg rice led to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy considering introduction of the scheme in the State.

“The Chief Minister has taken the cue from TDP and hastened the announcement only to bait voters,” he said.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the TDP’s economic reforms committee had already given its nod for free power scheme to farmers and re-introduction of the Rs. 2 per kg rice scheme after a long debate.

Accordingly, the nine-hour free power supply to the farm sector was announced initially and had to be followed by the rice scheme in the coming months.

However, ‘leak of information’ on the TDP’s nod for re-introduction of the popular rice scheme had prompted the Chief Minister to seize the opportunity and announce its consideration in advance before the TDP could tell people, Mr. Mysoora Reddy alleged. Had the Government been sincere in helping the people it would have not forced huge indirect taxes on them.

The indirect taxes imposed on people by the State and Central Governments in the recent years had burdened every person in the State by about Rs. 10,000 a year, he said.

The TDP leader alleged that all the welfare and development schemes being implemented in the State were filled with large-scale corruption.

The party was preparing a report of genuinely needy people left out of the Government scheme to expose its biased implementation.