Jagan: Will realise YSR’s dream

• Announces slew of measures to usher in all-round progress
• Says Naidu, Kiran helping Sonia divide AP ‘for Rahul-as-PM’

Idupulapaya: Sounding the election bugle, YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Sunday vowed to realise the dreams of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to usher in all-round progress of all sections of people and keep the State united.

Addressing the second plenary of YSR Congress Party, which unanimously elected him as the president for second time, he promised to infuse credibility into the decaying political system. “What is needed is credibility and sincerity and after my interaction with various sections of people during my Odarpu Yatra following the demise of YSR, I could understand the plight of students, women, old people and farmers,” he said

Touching upon farmers’ issues, he said their welfare would be given topmost priority by his government. He said: “We will set up a market stabilisation fund and see to it that minimum support price (MSP) is no longer an issue for them. Power supply will be provided for 7 hours initially, and will gradually be increased to 9 hours. A new service of 101 will be launched to address soil testing and other needs of the farmers, whereas another service 102 will be started to take care of their livestock through veterinary clinics.” These apart, two ministers will be assigned the portfolio of agriculture to benefit the farmers.

“Aarogyasri scheme would be rejuvenated and we will bring back all the deleted ailments from the list and add more. 104, 108 services will be made more effective and vibrant. Immediately after coming to power, old age pension will be raised to Rs 700 from the present Rs 200 and Amma Vodi scheme will be launched whereby Rs 1,000 would be credited to the mother’s account for education of her two kids,” he said.

He rued that the DWACRA self-help groups were being harassed with penalties as the entire group would suffer for one defaulter. “This order will be changed, all loans of DWACRA groups would be waived and loans would be provided without interest,” he said.

On the fees reimbursement scheme, he deplored that it had been watered down, “but my government will earmark more than enough fund of Rs 6,500 crore for that purpose and fulfill YSR dreams.”

All belt shops (illegal country liquor shops) will be closed and local women will be appointed in the police force for that purpose. Twelve LPG cylinders will be supplied at subsidized rates annually with or without cards and Rs 100 subsidy would be borne by the State Government, he said.

He pooh-poohed at N Chandrababu Naidu’s claim that he would waive the agriculture loans. The loans are about 1, 27,000 crore and waiver of such loans is not possible. “Do not be carried away by such impractical and tall promises,” he cautioned

On the touchy issue of state bifurcation, he said: “Sonia Gandhi wants to divide the State for political reasons and make her son Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister. Kiran Kumar Reddy and N Chandrababu Naidu have been helping her throughout.”

“If Kiran Kumar Reddy says he is for a united state why did he not react immediately after the Congress took a decision to split the State some eight months back? Naidu on the other hand has given a letter in favour of division. If they are for a united state, why did they not give affidavits to the President to that effect and why did they not hold dharnas or go on fast,” he said.

“People are vexed and are looking ahead for a change which we have to bring in and cleanse the political system,” he said.