The Hindu : Congress vows to do justice to all sections

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 05, 2004

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Congress vows to do justice to all sections

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Jan. 4. In a bid to outdo the TDP Government, the Congress has promised a three- fold hike in pension for the aged, widows and physically handicapped if voted to power in the State. As against Rs. 75 a month being paid to these sections by the Government, the Congress has promised Rs. 225 per month, of which Rs. 75 will continue to be the Central component and Rs. 150 the State's share, according to the former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. He was addressing a meeting of agricultural labour organised by Andhra Pradesh Vyavasaya Karmika Sangham here on Sunday. The meeting was addressed by leaders of various Opposition parties.

Dr. Reddy said the Congress would take steps to pay the pension at the enhanced rate to all eligible persons on a monthly basis unlike the TDP Government which had been distributing them once in three months during Janmabhoomi gram sabhas.

Moreover, the Government was not paying a rupee from the State exchequer for the pension as the entire burden of Rs. 75 was being borne by the Centre. The Congress, on the other hand, would meet its commitment at double the share of the Centre while continuing the programme with Central assistance.

The Congress leader said the party would also construct seven lakh weaker sections houses every year, a promise not kept by the TDP Government, and provide alternative employment to every family of agricultural labour. The land reforms initiated during `Indiramma regime' would be revived and a new scheme `Indiramma deepam' be launched to provide free power to a single bulb in every poor man's household.

The CPI(M) State secretary, B.V. Raghavulu, said mechanisation in every sphere of construction and agricultural activity had thrown agricultural labour out of jobs. In most cases, the machinery was owned by contractors owing allegiance to the TDP, he alleged.

The CPI State secretary, S. Sudhakar Reddy, called for an alternate Government to the TDP rule to prevent starvation deaths and suicide by farmers. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi secretary, Anwar Pasha, the CPI-ML (New Democracy) leader, Gade Diwakar, and the RPI State president, Bojja Tarakam, also spoke.

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