Government recasting SC, ST sub-plan: MP

Bhadrachalam: Mahabubabad MP Sitaram Naik has said that the State government has been striving to give a new shape to the SC, ST sub-plan.

Speaking to media in connection with his visit to the Lord Sitaramchandra Swamy temple here on Thursday, the MP said allocation of funds under the plan would be made according to the SC, ST population, which he said was 29 per cent quoting the statistics for 2017.

Development works would be implemented in geographical regions where SC, ST population resides, he said, adding that funds would be released direct to nodal agencies and the surplus funds sanctioned in a financial year would be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

Earlier, the sub-plan funds were released direct to the finance ministry by the Centre. The unspent funds used to go waste.

A detailed project report for development of the Bhadrachalam temple was also being prepared. The Chief Minister would be visiting the temple soon, he informed.

The MP announced to release funds from MPLADS to fix solar panels in the temple. He asked the Devasthanam officials to submit proposals to fix 70KW solar panels, at a cost of Rs 30 lakh.

Earlier, the MP toured extensively in Bhadrachalam after performing special pujas at the temple. He inspected the progress of 2BHK houses being built in the AMC Colony and expressed happiness over the sanction of 1,000 houses in the second phase for the homeless poor.

He visited the area hospital and appreciated Dr MV Koti Reddy on hospital being awarded Kayakalpa Award. Since the hospital has strength of 200 beds, it is most suitable for elevation as a teaching hospital, he said, stating that he would strive to upgrade the hospital into a teaching hospital.

During his visit to a degree college here, the MP asked the students not to go out of focus. He said he would strive to get women’s degree college sanctioned to the town.

The MP further appreciated the college management and CPDC members for providing mid-day meals to about 200 students. Temple divisional engineer V Ravindranath, Area Hospital Superintendent Dr MV Koti Reddy, Bhadrachalam circle inspector Srinivasulu, degree college principal N Gopi and others participated.

National recognition for area hospital P Sitaram Naik on Thursday felicitated Bhadrachalam area hospital Superintendent Koti Reddy for bagging Rs 20 lakh as a national award to the hospital under Kayakalpa Scheme.

He also appreciated the doctors and other staff for competing with corporate hospitals in all aspects. The MP further announced to sanction a water plant and an ambulance worth Rs 8 lakh from MPLADS.

“The Central government used to apply the scheme for district hospitals till last year. This year it included area hospitals and primary health centres too. With that announcement, Koti Reddy strived by taking necessary steps for the development of the hospital and bagged the award,” he said.

The hospital has been handling delivery cases at a record level in the entire State. It is also handling 300 out-patient cases and 150 inpatient cases per a day.

The Superintendent said 75 per cent of the cash prize would be deposited in the society account for the development of the hospital and 25 per cent would be distributed among the staff which would be an encouragement for them. He said the cumulative effort put by the doctors and the staff helped the hospital bag the award.