CM announces sops for old city during Rachabanda

Hyderabad, Feb 2 (INN): Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday sanctioned major schemes for the Old City during the Racha Banda programme. He said Rs 1,000 crore will be spent towards houses for slum dwellers in Hyderabad under the RAY (Rajiv Awas Yojana) scheme. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy, who participated in the Racha Banda programme at Hafiz Baba Nagar, later addressed a public meeting at Barkas.

Responding on the spot to the requests of MLAs and other public representatives, he also said Rs 20 crore will be released to the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority for old city development works. The Chief Minister also sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for Nizamia Hospital and said sports facilities for youth in old city will be developed.

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also sanctioned Rs 1 crore Barkas Hospital and said the required funds will be released for development of an Urdu Library in old city. The Chief Minister also said 30 acres land (Baba Sharfuddin Dargah land) will be allotted for the construction of a new Haj House near Shamshabad Airport. He said a National Academy of Construction Training Centre will be established in old city.

The Chief Minister called for peace and communal harmony which was the hallmark of the city for the last hundreds of years. He said that the Old City will be developed fast. 'Hyderabad is a beautiful city. We have launched a 100-days mission development plan for the city which is now in progress.'

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also explained about the Metro Rail Project and asked the people, especially the traders to cooperate and said that they will be given the best compensation package. Speaking about the Racha Banda programme, the Chief Minister reiterated the plea not to politicise the noble programme. He said the programme is aimed to help the people who have no voice and strength particularly the poor and the objective of the Government is to take administration to the door-step of the people.

He said the programme is expected to provide various benefits of about 1.25 crore people to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore in all. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said in addition to this, all fresh applications received from the people for ration cards and pensions are being received which will be verified and processed for immediate redressal.

The Chief Minister said Rs 439 crore will be given towards Pavala Vaddi dues and Rs 142 crore will be released in urban areas alone towards Pavala Vaddi dues. He said the Government is spending Rs.340 crore towards scholarships for about 2.20 lakh Muslim students alone. He said Andhra Pradesh Self-Help Group women created a world record by availing Rs 26,000 crore bank loans since the last six years.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to immediately process the applications and representation received from the people during the Racha Banda programme and deliver the benefits to the eligible people without any delay. People in different parts of the State boldly expressed their views and highlighted some of the problems they are facing in availing the benefits under various welfare schemes launched by the State Government.