Telangana: Poor to Get Priority in Welfare Sops Launched on R-Day
Adilabad: The state government is set to unveil four major welfare schemes on Republic Day, January 26, amidst high public anticipation for enhanced social security and improved livelihoods. For the first time, village gram sabhas and ward meetings are being organised to select beneficiaries, ensuring a transparent and community-driven selection process.
Eligible beneficiary lists will be prepared by January 20 and presented during gram sabhas and ward meetings from January 21 to 24 to finalise the recipients. The flagship schemes include Indiramma Houses, Indiramma Athmeeya Bharosa, Ration Card, and Rythu Bharosa, which have been eagerly awaited by applicants.
Under the Indiramma scheme, the state government will provide Rs 12,000 per acre annually to farmers and Rs 12,000 per annum to agricultural laborers. Officials have been instructed to ensure transparency in the selection process, prioritising the poorest and most marginalised populations.
Minister for rural development, Seethakka, urged officials to complete the survey promptly and submit the beneficiary lists to district heads, countering rumours spread by Opposition parties regarding the selection process. "We are committed to a fair and transparent distribution of these benefits," she stated.
Previous promises under the BRS government, such as the allocation of 2BHK houses, had left many poor citizens disappointed, with allegations of corruption and unmet commitments. In contrast, the current Congress government has pledged to provide Indiramma houses to both landless and land-owning poor.
Village-level committees, comprising village secretaries and MPDOs, have been established to gather household data. Nirmal collector Abhilasha Abhinav made a surprise visit to Limba (K) in Kuntala mandal on Saturday to inspect the ongoing survey, emphasising the urgency to complete the fieldwork.
Sonerao of Adilabad Rural mandal expressed optimism about the new welfare schemes, stating, "We have pinned a lot of hope on these schemes and have been waiting for a long time. We appeal to the state government to maintain transparency in selecting beneficiaries to ensure that the poorest among us receive the support they need."
