Houses to Pishini fire victims assured

Srikakulam: Minister for Health Kondru Murali Mohan said houses under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) would be granted to the victims of the fire tragedy at Pishini of Ranasthalam mandal in Srikakulam district. Consoling the victims here on Friday, he assured that houses would be provided under IAY to all the victims. Water for irrigation would be provided from Totapalli Barrage to Ranasthalam by the next Rabi season and tenders would be invited. Answering queries, he said the government has sanctioned funds to provide irrigation water to all villages. "Villages should be developed industrially and unemployed youth should use the facilities provided by the government," he suggested. Dalits were a great asset to the Congress, he said. The minister said that he quit his post to get the Women's Bill (Hindu Code Act) approved. "The writings of Ambedkar are an inspiration for the nation as he had prepared the SC/ST Sub-Plan," he observed. He said that out of the 70 lakh houses constructed, only two lakh were allotted to Dalits and added that he has brought this to the notice of the Chief Minister. The government approved Rs 11,000 crore to be spent under the SC/ST Sub-Plan and priority would be given to education. He said Rs 200 per month would be given to students of Classes I to VIII and Rs 700 per month for students of Classes IX and X staying in hostels. A committee was set up on this issue. He said Rs 1 lakh would be provided for construction of houses for SCs and STs. Funds have been provided for construction of roads, drinking water supply and provision of nutritious food under the SC/ST Sub-Plan, he added. RDO G Ganesh Kumar, Mandal Parishad Development Officer Vasudeva Rao and others participated.

'Ambedkar a hero' As part of his tour, the minister unveiled the statue of Dr Ambedkar at Bairivanipeta village. Addressing the gathering, he said that the Father of the Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar, should be looked upon as 'hero'. "Everyone should be inspired by Dr Ambedkar and narrate his story to children," he said. "Parents should take their children to every programme conducted in honour of him and everyone should think of contributing to society. Mahatma Gandhi had entrusted him with the responsibility of preparing the Constitution as he exhibited great intellectual acumen." Former municipal chairperson AV Narasimhulu, MV Padmavathi, Dalit leader Boddepalli Narasimhulu, Gonela Apparao, Balaga Balakrishna, Press Club secretary K Venugopal Rao, Congress leader Nartu Narendra, Srikakulam town Congress president Sunkara Krishna Kumar and others participated.