Date:17/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/17/stories/2008031760100100.htm

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‘Congress to keep all promises’

Special Correspondent

YSR lashes out at TD for breaking its word on many schemes

Vedadri lift irrigation scheme launched
Loans for youth under Pavala vaddi for setting up units

VIJAYAWADA: The Congress will keep all the promises it made to people and will also fulfil the promises that the Telugu Desam Party had made before the elections but failed to keep, said Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Dr. Reddy hit out at the TDP and its chief N. Chandrababu Naidu at the three public meetings he addressed in Krishna district during his day-long visit, which was marked by the laying of a few foundation stones and inauguration of several new facilities.

He also inaugurated the Rs.17.43-crore second phase of the Vedadri-Kanchala lift irrigation scheme near Jaggayyapeta, which would irrigate 8,683 acres of land in 31 villages in three mandals.

Dr. Reddy said just as the Congress had a tradition of keeping its promises Mr. Naidu had a tradition of making them and then breaking them.

“Not only did Chandrababu Naidu backstab N.T. Rama Rao to come to power, but he also backstabbed the promises that NTR had made to the people,” he said, pointing out that while NTR, 14 years ago, promised and implemented the supply of rice to the poor at Rs. 2 a kg, Mr. Naidu promised to continue the scheme but discontinued it after being elected.

The Chief Minister announced that loans would be given to youth who want to set up industries under ‘Pavala vaddi’ (three per cent rate of interest) scheme.

They could take loan from banks at nine per cent of rate of interest, while the Government would reimburse to banks an amount equivalent to six per cent rate of interest.