Congress takes another ‘U’-Turn in Telangana, says launch of welfare schemes limited to one village per mandal

Earlier, the govt had announced that the welfare schemes would be launched for beneficiaries across Telangana on Republic Day

Hyderabad: In yet another ‘U’ turn from its earlier announcement of launching four schemes on January 26 across the State, the Congress government on Saturday declared that the schemes would be formally launched in only one village in every mandal for implementation on saturation mode. This is a volte-face from its earlier announcement that the schemes – distribution of ration cards, Indiramma Indlu, Rythu Bharosa and Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa – would be launched State-wide for all beneficiaries on Republic Day.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said all the applications received at Gram Sabhas would be compiled and scrutinized and eligible persons would be extended the benefits under the different schemes. This exercise would commence formally on Sunday and would be completed by March. At many Gram Sabhas, residents had complained that their names were missing from the list and many new applications were being filed. Accordingly, the numbers had gone into lakhs and to complete the application processing exercise, the process was extended till March, he said.

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Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said that in the identified village, the exercise for distribution of ration cards, Indiramma Indlu, Rythu Bharosa and Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa would be commenced and completed on saturation mode. Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said initially the plan was to extend benefits to all the people, but more time was being taken to process the new applications. In the first week of February, details of venues and the programmes to be held in other villages would be declared, he said.

The Minister alleged that at many Gram Sabhas, a few people and a few political parties deliberately created ruckus. Irrespective of the conspiracies hatched by opposition parties, the schemes would be launched formally as a model in one village under each mandal, he said.

Indiramma Indlu scheme would be implemented without any scope for recommendations and corruption. The poorest of the poor would be identified in the 606 mandals except for those in Greater Hyderabad limits, he claimed.

“In case any ineligible person is listed in the Indiramma Indlu beneficiaries list and allotted a house, such allotments will be cancelled,” Srinivas Reddy said.

Meanwhile, in sharp contrast to the promise of extending Rs.15,000 per acre as per the Congress manifesto, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said as assured by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Rs.12,000 crore was being offered to farmers under Rythu Bharosa from the current season from Sunday.

CM’s X post triggers confusion

Confusion and contradiction continue be hallmarks of statements by Congress leaders in Telangana. While Ministers were briefing the media about the launch of four schemes, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy posted on X saying that three welfare schemes were being launched from Sunday.

“As three welfare schemes, Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa and new ration cards are being launched from January 26, a review meeting was conducted with available Ministers at Command Control Centre to ensure that benefits reached to every eligible person…,” he posted, triggering confusion on the launch of the Indiramma Indlu scheme.