Projects helping only K Chandrasekhar Rao family, contractors: N Uttam Kumar Reddy
Hyderabad: The T-Congress on Tuesday stepped up its criticism of the TRS government, accusing it of doling out thousands of crores of rupees to Water Grid and irrigation contractors while ignoring schemes designed to help farmers like waiver of loans.
TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy asserted that the Congress would undo the wrongs being committed by the TRS after it comes to power in the 2019 elections. He was addressing training classes for party workers at KJR Gardens in Secunderabad.
“The TRS has not fulfilled any of the promises it made after it came to power 20 months ago. Water Grid and irrigation projects were taken up only for commissions and not for the people,” he said.
“They (the government) don’t have money for farm loan waiver, no money for students’ fee reimbursement, no money to reimburse Arogyasri and no money to pay coolies under MGREGS. But every month, thousands of crores are given to Water Grid and irrigation contractors,” Mr Reddy alleged. He continued, “There is money to pay contractors, but none for farmers, students and patients.”
AICC general-secretary in-charge of Telangana affairs, Digvijay Singh, former Union minister Mani Shanker Aiyer, TPCC working president Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and party seniors like K. Srinivas, Koppula Raju, V. Hanumantha Rao, Dr Suresh Sharma, Prof. Nageswara Rao and others also spoke.
The Congress leaders asked cadre to strengthen the party from the grassroots-level and expose shortcomings of Central and state governments. Mr Reddy, while speaking to the media, also demanded the Central government take up construction of the Polavaram National project.
“Government should take up land acquisition under various projects including Polavaram oustees as per 2013 Land Acquisition Act and ensure adequate compensation to lands. It’s wrong on the part of the government to hand over construction of Polavaram project to the AP government,” he added.
Mr Aiyer accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of arrogance and asked party leaders to expose the shortcomings of the government.
“Sarpanchs are foundation of democracy. Only when panchayat raj system is strengthened, country will progress. Rajiv Gandhi with his foresight ensured reservations in local bodies. Chandrababu Naidu rule drowned the panchayat raj system. When Congress returns to power, sarpanchs will get back their powers,” he assured.
