TIRUPATI: The chief minister who was here on Sunday to spearhead the Prajapatham programme arrived two hours late and apologising he said that he was supposed to participate in the programme much earlier, but it got postponed thrice. “Every good scheme like Rs 1 kg rice, Mee Seva and others were launched from Tirupati, with blessings of Lord Venkateswara and it is a sentiment, that whatever scheme started in Tirupati will be a grand success,” he said.Stating that drinking water problem is much pronounced in Tirupati, the chief minister said that they have taken measures for providing an additional 3 cr litres drinking water have been taken. Stating that gas connections has also become a problem here, he asked how many are in need of gas connections and when several hands rose in replay, he said that at first they had decided to sanction 10,000 connections in addition to the 29,000 gas connections issued to DWACRA groups, now an additional 5,000 connections will be sanctioned. When a similar question was posed to the public gathering regarding anthyodaya cards the response was similar. “Now, everyone wants the cards. Ok, in addition to the already sanctioned 10,000 cards, another 5,000 will be sanctioned,” he said.Being liberal on showering sops on the temple town, he said that towards development of good CC roads, subways, multi-level parking lots, Rs 147 cr has been sanctioned to Tirupati.Taking the opportunity to list out various development and welfare schemes being implemented by the state government, Kiran Kumar said that all programmes initiated since 2004 are being implemented without any hindrance. Stating that they are being implemented in much better manner, he took exception to the constant stream of criticism being levelled at the government ‘for not implementing schemes properly’, which he said was far from the truth.“We have been implementing schemes religiously and during rachabanda, as many as 30 lakh ration cards got sanctioned. As many as 7.50 lakh are enjoying Rs 1 kg per rice. We have increased the number of pensions by 8 lakhs, increased amounts being given for Indiramma houses from Rs 32, 000 to Rs 45,000 and in cases of SC, STs it is 55,000.Similarly in urban areas, now it is Rs 85,000 that is being given to the beneficiaries,” he said. The chief minister clarified that since 2005-06 till he took charge as CM, the total Pavala Vaddi paid was Rs 800 cr, while it was Rs 1,200 cr that was paid, after he took over as CM. “Since January, 2012, it is interest-free loans, the last installment of Rs 600 cr in case of Pavala Vaddi is being paid now,” he said.He further stated that in case of farmers, Pavala Vaddi paid was only Rs 60 cr to Rs 70 cr, as the banks had made 8 months as repayment period. Now after discussions with bankers by Raghuveera Reddy and others it has been increased to 1 year. Further, with help of union government, the state government is facilitating `1 lakh interest-free loans to farmers, he said.
Comments
0 comment