Public outrage mars day one of gram sabhas in Kothagudem, Khammam

Villagers question officials over irregularities in selection of beneficiaries for four welfare schemes being implemented by Congress government

Khammam: Gram sabhas held to select beneficiaries for four schemes being implemented by the State government were marred by protests by the public on the first day on Tuesday at several places in Kothagudem and Khammam districts.

The officials who took part in the gram sabhas had a tough time dealing with the protesting public. At many places, police had to intervene to bring order at the meetings. The protests were caused due to the alleged irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries.

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It might be noted that the government initiated the process of selecting beneficiaries for Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Athmeeya Bharosa, issuing ration cards and sanctioning Indiramma houses. A village-wise and ward-wise schedule of the meeting has been released.

In Khammam, the residents of Gattusingaram in Kusumanchi mandal tore off the beneficiary list alleging that ineligible persons were included in the list. At Chintakani mandal headquarters, villagers entered into heated arguments with officials after Mandal Parishad Development Officer R Ramaiah read the names in the list.

They complained that the recent comprehensive household survey was not done properly. Only a few families were selected for sanctioning Indiramma houses and issuing ration cards while many eligible families were left out.

The MPDO told the villagers to apply for the schemes once again. Similar protests took place at Ballepalli in Khammam city and at Koyachelaka Raghunathapalem mandal.

In Kothagudem district, the villagers questioned officials at Mutyalampadu crossroad gram panchayat of Tekulapalli mandal. They alleged that instead of giving Indiramma houses to those who were eligible, the names of those who already have Indiramma houses appeared in the list.

Likewise, Athmeeya Bharosa was sanctioned to two persons in a family while those who were eligible were not in the list, they complained. Similar protests took place in Dammapet, Aswaraopet, Annapureddypalle and other mandals.

In Mahabubabad district, people questioned the officials at Narsimhulapet village over irregularities in Praja Palana applications. Officials just read the list without identifying the eligible beneficiaries, the public alleged. Many eligible people had to leave the meeting without getting any scheme sanctioned to them.