Neera shops to be opened in Hyderabad soon: Harish

KARIMNAGAR: Finance Minister T Harish Rao on Tuesday said neera shops would be established soon in Hyderabad. Based on the public response to these neera shops in Hyderabad, it would be extended to other parts of the State. Considering toddy as a health drink, the State government decided to open neera shops across the State. […]

KARIMNAGAR: Finance Minister T Harish Rao on Tuesday said neera shops would be established soon in Hyderabad. Based on the public response to these neera shops in Hyderabad, it would be extended to other parts of the State.

Considering toddy as a health drink, the State government decided to open neera shops across the State. It was, however, delayed on account of Covid pandemic, he said, addressing a meeting of Gouda community in Illanthakunta mandal of the district.

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The Minister said the State government, which was providing Rs 2,016 pension to even 50-year-old toddy tappers, decided to introduce more schemes for the welfare of the community people. It has decided to provide mopeds to toddy tappers on par with fishermen as well as insurance facility on par with Rythu Bima. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was also considering insurance facility to fishermen as well as weavers, he said.

Despite objections from different sections, the government opened toddy depots in Hyderabad providing employment to about one lakh people. Moreover, the harassment by Excise officials for bribe had come down. The licence renewal period of toddy depots had also been increased to 10 years from two years.

“Why would people from Gouda community vote for BJP when the TRS government was implementing a number of schemes for the welfare of toddy tappers?” the Minister asked. Talking about the Union government’s negligence of BC, he said the State government passed a resolution in the Assembly asking the Central government to constitute a separate ministry for BCs. “The Union government, however, set aside the resolution,” he said.

Instead of speaking about welfare and developmental works they intend to take up, BJP leaders were threatening TRS leaders, Harish Rao said, adding that this won’t fetch votes. “BJP leader Eatala Rajender has threatened me with dire consequences. BJP will not get votes by threatening me,” he said.