Date:09/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/09/stories/2008020956380600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Pull up Ministers on assurances: Roja

Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM: State Telugu Mahila president R.K. Roja has asked women to pull up ministers and MLAs on the unfulfilled promises of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. She said Dr. Reddy during his ‘padayatra had promised Rs. 100 subsidy on LPG and pavala vaddi to all women groups. But after coming to power the LPG rate was increased thrice and the pavala vaddi scheme was extended to selected Congress groups.

Speaking at Telugu Mahila sadassu here on Friday evening, Ms. Roja said that even on imposition of phase-wise prohibition, the Chief Minister allowed belt shops in every remote village and fixed targets for the Excise Department. On old age pensions, she said that Congress cadres, irrespective of their eligibility, were sanctioned pensions.

With regard to security for women, she pointed out the Ayesha Meera murder and rape of eight tribal women in Vakapalli in Visakhapatnam district. She said that her party would not relent until the accused in Ayesha case were arrested. She said that the Government was trying to save the influenced in the case. Sobha Hymavathi, former MLA and district Telugu Mahila president, recalled the reservations provided to women in elections by the party founder N.T. Rama Rao and later by N. Chandrababu Naidu. TDP Polit Bureau member P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, district president Yadla Ramana Murty and others were present.