YSR announces more sops for Self-Help Groups

Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy announced more? sops to the Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Addressing the SHG members of the north Telangana districts at Ambedkar stadium here today, he said that Arogya Sri programmes would be extended to the differently-abled persons.

Stating that interest-free loans would be advanced to children of the SHG members going abroad for pursuing higher studies, the Chief Minister said that the Pavala Vaddi Scheme was of great help to women.

He said that every SHG member should save Re 1 daily for Rs 365 days and the Government would contribute Rs 365 as its share for pension benefits of the SHG members. He said the SHGs were serving as a bridge between the government and people in implementing the various welfare schemes.

Rajasekhara Reddy said that unlike the previous Telugu Desam regime where only party workers benefited from the government schemes, the Congress government ensured that everyone irrespective of their party benefited from the schemes.

Rajahmundry MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar and Minister for Rural Development G Chinna Reddy detailed about the welfare schemes being implemented by the State Government. They said that even countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh were evincing interest in the welfare schemes being implemented by the State and Central Governments.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid foundation stone for Rajiv Swagruha Housing Scheme (model satellite township with 107 towers), drinking water scheme for Thimmapur mandal (Rs 14 crore), inaugurated rural police station building and Karimnagar fruit market at Nustlapur village of Thimmapur mandal.

He also unveiled the statue of Prof GV Sudhakar Rao at LMD reservoir and inaugurated Rajiv Gruhakalpa complex on the outskirts of Karimnagar.

LATHICHARGE: Police resorted to mild lathicharge at Nustlapur when TDP workers tried to obstruct the convoy of the Chief Minister.

Two TDP workers–Adil Mallesh and Chandramouli suffered injuries in the baton charge.

District incharge minister Sabita Indra Reddy, District Ministers T Jeevan Reddy and J Ratnakar Rao, APSRTC Chairman M Satyanarayana Rao and District Collector Sandeep Kumar Sultania were among those present.

Meanwhile, police took into custody several Opposition party leaders and workers in the district since last night for the smooth conduct of the Chief Minister’s programme. The leaders had threatened to disrupt the Chief Minister’s programme. The arrested included TDP district president L Ramana and CPI Floor leader in the Assembly Chada Venkat Reddy.