Amma Hastam shields the poor from price rise, says Minister

Eluru: Minister for Tourism Vatti Vasanta Kumar on Tuesday said that Amma Hastam scheme was intended to shield the poor families from rise in prices of essential commodities. He accompanied ministerial colleague Pithani Satyanarayana, Minister for Social Welfare, who inaugurated the prestigious State government welfare programme that guarantees supply of nine essential commodities at a price tag of Rs 185 here.

Speaking on the occasion, Vatti said that the market value of the commodities was Rs 292 while the government took up the `historic' task of supplying the same at an affordable price for all the white ration card holders. The government was offering subsidy of Rs 107 on the supply of wheat, sugar, red gram dal, tamarind, palmolein, turmeric, chilli powder, wheat flour and salt supplied under the scheme every month.

Though the prices of these commodities in open market vary from time to time, the government chose to protect the poor families from the burden on account of the price rise. The government would not compromise on the quality of the commodities supplied through the ration shops, he promised.

Mr. Pithani, who was the chief guest, said that the State government was providing food security to 2.24 crore poor families under the scheme. The State government was formulating welfare schemes to suit the aspirations of the poor and deprived sections. Ever since the Congress came to power in 2004, the government began to deliver starting with its free electricity to the farmers. Indiramma Houses, Rajiv Arogyasri, Fee Reimbursement, Re-1-a-kg Rice, Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu were among the key welfare measures implemented so far. The Congress government had always tried to fulfil its poll promises, he claimed.

The Social Welfare Minister said that the government had intensified its campaign on Indiramma Kalalu programme (SC/ST Sub-Plan) to benefit the targeted sections of society.Earlier, the minister duo handed over the commodities to the poor to mark the inaugural of Amma Hastam. Tanuku MLA Dr Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao and district officials were present.

Maheedhar hands over benefits Ongole: Minister for Municipal Administration M Maheedhar Reddy launched Amma Hastam programme here on Tuesday. He said that the government was keen to supply essential items to the poor at affordable cost.

Congress, YSRCP cadres come to clashA

Palakole (West Godavari): Activists of the ruling Congress and YSR Congress Party clashed during Amma Hastam programme inauguration here on Tuesday. A A heated argument between local Congress MLA Usharani and MLC Seshubabu of YSRCP over the allotment of commodities resulted in tense moments at the programme. The MLC insisted on details from the officials on the commodities supplied to the constituency.

The YSRCP activists were agitated over non-allotment of the goods. The officials tried in vain to convince that they would ensure distribution of essential commodities to all the ration card holders within two days. The MLA also tried to pacify the irate YSRCP workers by promising prompt action on complaints regarding the sops distribution. She requested Seshubabu to cooperate with the authorities for the smooth conduct of the programme. She said the women who attended the programme should not be troubled as they had to leave early to fetch drinking water.

Even as Usharani and Seshubabu were engaged in war of words, the two groups supporting them clashed at the venue. A tense situation prevailed for some time. A Not satisfied with the assurances of the MLA, Seshubabu and his supporters left the programme abruptly.