Chittoor/Anantapur, January 31: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday stated that the government would re-conduct the Racha Banda, a programme to address grievances of people, at the places where it was obstructed.
Talking to media persons after participating in Racha Banda at Pileru, his home constituency for the first time, the Chief Minister said the programme has received wide response from all sections of people.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said the government has successfully conducted the programme in 7,450 out of 7,900 village sabhas.
Reacting on some section of leaders obstructing programme in some areas, the Chief Minister said the Racha Banda would be re-conducted in those areas and steps would be taken in this regard after consulting the officials and people representatives.
Earlier, addressing the gathering at the programme, the Chief Minister reminded the people that the state government’s welfare programmes like the Arogyasri medical insurance scheme saw 66 persons from Anantapur availing surgeries. He pointed out that the government has spent about Rs 23 lakh on these surgeries.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also pointed out that the government has also enhanced the pay scales for those who were working under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act from the earlier Rs 100 per day to Rs 125 per day. He also pointed out that the number of working days under the scheme were also increased, from the earlier 100 days.
The Chief Minister did not forget to mention the fact that the NREGA was launched in Anantapur district by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also stated that Rs 843 crore has already been released under the Pavala Vaddi scheme during the past six years, the latest installment being Rs 439 crore which was released recently. This Rs 439 crore was part of the payments due to beneficiaries from the previous year, he pointed out.
The Chief Minister also said that a junior college for women and a hostel would be set up at Garla Dinne, in addition to the construction of a bridge from Penakacharla dam to Kattimala. The government is awaiting proposals and estimates before taking up work on the bride, he said.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also directed officials to give priority to drinking water schemes in the district.
The Chief Minister also directed the district Collector to issue ration cards to 168 persons who have submitted their applications during the ‘Racha Banda’. This must be done within two days, he instructed.
Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said the government will waive interest on the loans of weavers and help them financially to come out of debt trap.
He said the government will take steps for completing the first phase of Handriniva irrigation project and provide irrigation water to crops by Kharif season.
Lashing out against the opponents of the Racha Banda, Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy stated that the programme was aimed to bring the government welfare programmes to the doorsteps of genuine beneficiaries
INN