Date:08/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/08/stories/2007120858910100.htm

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TDP to pool 4 lakh blankets for hostels

Special Correspondent

‘Sound slap on the face of government’

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said NTR Memorial Trust, NRIs and other individuals and charitable institutions would pool and distribute four lakh blankets to as many SC, ST and BC students in social welfare hostels in the next few days to help them get over the cold winter.

“This will be a sound slap on the face of the government, which is indifferent to these poor students who have no voice. It can gift away Rs. 310 crore to contractors in Yellampalli irrigation project alone, spend huge money on advertisements for launch of Arogya Sri scheme but no money for hostellers and tribals dying of diseases in Adilabad”, Mr. Naidu said at a press conference.

He said the Government had been indifferent though the issue was raised by the TDP and other Opposition parities in the Assembly, National Human Rights Commission’s directive, Andhra Pradesh High Court’s stinging criticism and Lok Ayuktha’s observations.

The party had also taken up a ‘samskshema yatra’ of these hostels led by senior leader T. Devender Goud.