Hyderabad. February 09: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today lashed out at TRS and other Telangana supporters who have been holding protests against the State Government’s prestigious ‘Rachabanda’ (village junction) mass- contact programme.
“We will not be cowed down by your protests and threats. We conduct Rachabanda despite your opposition. Not only that, we will hold the programme where it cannot be held due to the protests. We will ensure that the fruits of the welfare schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries,” he said.
He was addressing a public meeting in Khammam district where he took part in the Rachabanda programme.
Reddy’s attack on the TRS and other Telangana supporters came in the wake of the bandh being observed by the pro-Telangana groups against the programme.
The bandh was called against the alleged police harassment of TRS workers and others who were holding protests.
Alleging that ‘Rachabanda’ is an attempt to dilute the ongoing Telangana agitation, TRS President K Chandrasekhar Rao has asked people to boycott it. He also appealed to the people to “drive away” Congress public representatives who come to attend the programme.
The Chief Minister participated in the Rachabanda in Khammam and Medak districts, both in Telangana region, today.
Reddy said political parties should refrain from politicising a “noble programme” like Rachabanda. It was launched for the common people, especially the poor, women and downtrodden to ensure that the fruits of welfare schemes launched by the State Government reach them, he said.
“We have launched the programme to help the poor, the weaker sections, women and the common people who could not get the benefits of many welfare programmes.”
The CM said his Government, under the programme, was spending Rs 2,500 crore to benefit 1.25 crore people and it was receiving “tremendous” response from the people.
The Rachabanda programme was held at 1,470 places throughout the state today – the 15th day: Andhra-602 places, Rayalaseema-271 and Telangana-597. There were reports of minor disruptions at 96 places in Telangana.
Rachabanda programme has already covered 21,114 villages/gram panchayats in the state.
Till today the Rachabanda programme had been held in 22,584 places. The Chief Minister will participate in Rachabanda in Karimnagar and Warangal districts tomorrow, an official release said.
–IANS