Congress faces public backlash over delay in Telangana welfare schemes

As local body elections are nearing in Telangana, the Congress government's welfare outreach, such as ration card distribution, Indiramma House allotments, and the Janahita Padayatra, is facing public backlash due to delays, and irregularities. Citizens in rural and urban areas are expressing dissatisfaction, with some resorting to protests.

Hyderabad: With local body elections in sight and growing public discontent across the State, the Congress government’s outreach plans through welfare initiatives appear to be backfiring.

Programmes such as distribution of ration cards, allotment of Indiramma Houses and the Janahita Padayatra were intended to connect with the public. Instead, elected representatives are facing uncomfortable questions from citizens in both rural and urban areas over delays and irregularities in implementing these schemes.

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At Kothamammilavarigudem in Kothagudem district, an Indiramma House applicant climbed a water tank and threatened to jump after his name was omitted from the beneficiaries list. In Achampet on Monday, women confronted Labour Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy during his address, questioning why their names were missing. Some said that despite being listed as beneficiaries, they had not received funds. The Minister assured them their grievances would be addressed, but the crowd remained dissatisfied.

On July 14, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy formally launched the new ration cards distribution programme across the State, announcing that 5.6 lakh cards would be sanctioned and distributed promptly. While some beneficiaries managed to download their cards after receiving SMS notifications, many complained of delays in sanctioning.

Applicants who had initially submitted forms during the Praja Palana programme were later told to reapply online for quicker processing. However, they allege that their applications remain pending for months. Officials cite a three-level scrutiny process — inspection by the local Revenue Inspector, verification by the Assistant Supply Officer (ASO), and final approval — but many applicants claim no physical inspection is taking place. In some cases, they received verification calls but no follow-up.

Several allege that applications from Congress workers and their relatives are being prioritised, fuelling anger towards MLAs and other leaders.

The Janahita Padayatra has also failed to generate public enthusiasm, with only party workers turning up in large numbers. After halting the first phase midway, the Congress will resume the padayatra on August 23 in an attempt to recover lost political ground.