Telangana: Congress government misses yet another deadline on key schemes

Save for partial implementation of Rythu Bharosa, the other schemes including Indiramma Indlu, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa, new ration cards are yet to take off properly

HYDERABAD: The Congress government has missed yet another deadline leaving many applicants anxious. On January 26, the government launched four schemes — Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Housing scheme, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa and distribution of new ration cards, with much fanfare, but so far, only one scheme has been implemented, that too partially.

Save for the partial implementation of Rythu Bharosa, the other three schemes, Indiramma Housing, Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa and new ration cards are yet to be implemented.

---

On January 25, before the formal launch of the schemes, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said that the schemes would be formally launched in only one village in every mandal for implementation on saturation mode. This was in sharp contrast to 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.

Briefing the media, the Deputy Chief Minister had said all the applications received at gram sabhas would be compiled and scrutinised and eligible persons would be extended benefits under the different schemes. He also said this would be completed by March.

Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy too had assured 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.

However, what happened was not exactly as promised. The schemes are yet to be implemented even in the identified villages in each mandal.

Though officials claim that under Rythu Bharosa, financial assistance of Rs 6,000 was being extended to farmers per season, many complain that they were yet to receive the assistance in the current season. Similarly, under Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa, Rs 6,000 financial assistance was to be extended to each landless agricultural labourer per season but it is yet to take off.

Though some have got the assistance, not all landless agriculture labourers, who worked for 20 days in a year under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, have received the benefit under the scheme.

The Civil Supplies Minister on Friday said the government would soon commence the issue of ration cards to all the beneficiaries. There were about 89.73 lakh ration cards at the time of formation of State and another 30 lakh new cards were likely to be issued soon after verification.

Regarding Indiramma Indlu, Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Friday said the sanctioning of houses under the scheme would begin on Sri Rama Navami. The 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 had said in the past. But truth is that despite March being over, none of the schemes have taken off properly.