Rice, Rs. 1 a kg - But, why?
Hyderabad: There seems to be more to it than what meets the eye in the announcement of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to supply Re 1 a kg rice instead of Rs 2 to the 2.26 crore families which are below the poverty line.
Analysts feel that the government must be foreseeing either a mid-term poll or it is targeted at the local body elections in case the T issue is resolved amicably.
If no quick political solution to the T problem is found, the agitations could further get intensified and it could lead to President's rule and a mid-term poll.
In such an eventuality the government will not be in a position to make any such announcement, TDP leader Y Ramakrishnudu said. He was of the opinion that this scheme would be adding more burden on the exchequer when the resource mobilisation had taken a nosedive following the collapse of the administration in the state, he said.
Some Congress leaders feel that It could be aimed at countering the criticism of Kadapa MP and YSR Congress Party President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy that the present government was diluting the welfare schemes launched by former Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in 2004.
The scheme was announced in Tirupati in the presence of actor-turned politician and senior Congress leader K Chiranjeevi on Wednesday. The quantity of rice required for the scheme is 3.3 lakh tonnes per month.
PCC president had hinted at this move much before the Chief Minister's announcement, AP Congress Committee president B Satyanarayana had hinted at reducing the price by half during his tour of East Godavari district last month.
He said, 'Some parties are indulging in false propaganda accusing the state government of doing away the welfare programmes like subsidy rice scheme and free power to farmers. This scheme would be an answer to it, he added.
News Posted: 22 September, 2011
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