Hyderabad, July 17: Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday admitted that the prices of certain essential commodities have skyrocketed and this had made life of the poor and middleclass miserable. He assured the people that State Government was taking all steps to check the prices of essential commodities and particularly prices of toor dal (pigeon pea) and other pulses would be brought down in the next three months time as farmers are cultivating the toor dal on large scale. Distributing the cheques to several Self Help Groups (SHGs) under Indira Kranthi Pathakam (IKP) and Pavala Vaddi Scheme to the tune of Rs 44 crore and allotment of houses under Rajiv Swagruha at NTR stadium, near Indira Park here, Rajasekhara Reddy said that the price of toor dal had spiralled due to severe shortage of production and the government was importing the same from different countries.
Based on the appeal of the State Government, a large number of farmers were now cultivating toor dal and it would take three months for production. On the other hand, vegetable cultivation by farmers has helped in controlling the prices of greens, he said.
The Chief Minister said that poverty existed both in rural and urban areas and State Government has an important role to play in reducing poverty. This could be largely overcome by empowering women. The Government was doing its best to provide loans to the SHGs through Pavala Vaddi Scheme to start their own small businesses and be economically independent.
Life in urban areas has become difficult. To help people live a good life, the State Government is taking steps to provide basic amenities like water, sewerage, roads, sanitation, storm water drains, streetlights and other facilities.
To improve the lives of slum dwellers, 90,000 houses have been constructed and allotted to them. White ration cards are being given to eligible families who are under the Below Poverty Line (BPL).
Rajasekhara Reddy again appealed to the people of Greater Hyderabad to extend their support to the ruling Congress government in the GHMC elections. He assured that his government would do its best for all-round development of the city by providing civic amenities and develop it as per international standards.
Earlier, he laid a foundation stone for providing inlet, outlet and distribution network under the Prakashnagar water supply zone. The project is being developed by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) at a cost of Rs 19.20 crore. The areas that will be benefited include Pattigadda, Jawahar Nagar, Prakashnagar, Vimalanagar, Vengalrao Nagar, Achaiah Nagar, Kalasiguda, Sindhi Colony, Film Distributors Colony and others.
The expected outcome includes better service delivery, 100 per cent network coverage, improvement in water supply pressures and control of pollution.
He also inaugurated laying of 1800 MM dia duplicate main sewer line with trenchless technology from BRK Bhavan, Liberty Junction to Nimboliadda at a cost of Rs 76 crore.
The CM also inaugurated two rubber dams, situated opposite the High Court and Salar Jung Museum at a cost of Rs 25 crore. These rubber dams are part of the Musi Revitalisation project which aims at rejuvenating the heritage and culture of the Old City by making this as a popular tourist spot.
Rajasekahara Reddy also inauguarted the Musallam Jung Bridge across Musi, near City College and Begum Bazar built at a cost of Rs 10 crore. The bridge will relieve traffic congestion on the City College side. Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Anam Narayana Reddy, Health and Family Welfare Minister D Nagender, BC Welfare Minister Mukesh Goud were also present.
–Agencies–