The Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has asserted that there was no agenda other than the welfare of the poor for his government.
The Chief Minister launched the ‘Amma Hastam’ scheme in Tekkali of Srikakulam district on Tuesday. Addressing a public meeting after that, he said any programme launched in Srikakulam, situated in the north-east of the state would be successful. He said the he chose to launch the ‘Amma Hastam’ programme from the district as the earlier welfare scheme ‘Racha Banda’ was launched from Rajam of the district. He said the government was implementing welfare and development programmes as per the aspirations of the poor.
The Chief Minister said the government was helping 2.25 crore families and 7.5 crore individuals, through the rupee-one-a-kg rice scheme. Stating that the government had thought it necessary to also provide nutritious food to the people along with rice and the result was the ‘Amma Hastam’ scheme. He said 9 essential commodities were being purchased for Rs. 292 from the market and were being provided to the poor at the rate of Rs. 185, giving a subsidy of Rs. 107. He has assured that the commodities would be given to the poor for the same rate despite increase in the open market price. He said it was the aim of his government that no one should starve in the state. Dismissing the criticism of the opposition about the scheme, he said the heart beat of the people was the guiding force for the government and he would not bother about opposition criticism.
Referring to the SC, ST sub-plan, he said the TDP, YSRCP, BJP, TRS and Communist Parties had tried to block the legislation in the Assembly under the guise of the Supreme Court’s judgment and added that it was strange that they were themselves now claiming credit for the act.
Referring to the claim of the TDP chief Chandra Babu Naidu that he was the champion of the cause of the BCs, he said while he had provided Rs. 1580 crore for BC welfare during his nine-year rule, the Congress government allotted Rs. 4,207 crore during this one year.
The Chief Minister announced that ‘Mee Seva’ centres would be extensively set up, to provide different certificates required by people fast and in a transparent manner. Stating that 1.30 crore certificates were issued to the people through the Mee Seva centres, the Chief Minister said these certificates were being issued within 15 minutes of filing of applications. He also said a citizen’s charter would soon be introduced to make the system more answerable to the people.
The Chief Minister also mentioned about the dial 100 service launched on Ugadi, to bring the services of the police nearer to the people. He said like the 108 ambulance service, police also would respond to calls to 100 and come to the complainants’ houses to take the complaints.
The Chief Minister said he would always be indebted to the Srikakulam district. He also assured that funds would be released for the modernization of the main canal of Vamsadhara. He also announced setting up of women Degree College at Tekkali and sanction of Rs. 50 lakhs for the construction of Ambedkar Bhavan. (NSS)
