Date:11/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/11/stories/2008041153290300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Make best use of welfare schemes’

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

Chief Minister launches Praja Patham in Dornakal

–Photo: M. Murali

All ears: Massive crowd attends Praja Patham addressed by Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Maripeda in Warangal on Thursday.

MARIPEDA (WARANGAL DT.): Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy exhorted the people to make best use of the welfare schemes launched by the State government without paying any heed to what other leaders or parties say.

Launching the month-long Praja Patham programme here in Dornakal constituency being represented by Tribal Welfare minister D S Redya Naik, the Chief Minister said the programme was aimed at reviewing the ongoing welfare schemes and to know the problems of the people in summer such as drinking water shortage, power interruptions and the like.

“Neither me nor my minister never rested for a single day since forming the government. We are all busy to keep up our promises, ” he said to the cheering crowds.

The gathering was quite impressive.

Over 50,000 people from different mandals turned up for the meeting under the hot sun. Baking, sweating and with thirsty throats, hundreds of women and children stay put through out since morning hours.

From reducing the bank interest rates to negotiating for a lesser price of Monsanto cotton seeds, covering every eligible person under the pensions, the State government left no stone unturned to help the people benefit from the government, the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy responding to the request of Mr. Redya Naik, promised to sanction Rs. 1 crore to each of the 10 mandals in Mahabubabad constituency to lay link roads and Rs. 1.20 crore for development of Veerabadhra Swamy temple at Kuravi mandal.

He also promised to study the possibility of converting tribals hamlets into Gram Panchayats besides looking into the demand for separate agency for the plain tribals and their development similar on the lines of ITDA.

Major irrigation minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah, senior leader and former MP R Surender Reddy, APCC president D. Srinivas and several others were present.