Telangana Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K T Rama Rao today directed the Mahabubabad district Collector to enquire into a rather strange incident that took place in the Chandru Naik Thanda area of the district.
The orders come after a farmer and vegetable vendor Redya Naik lost Rs 2 lakh stored that he stored in a cotton bag in an almirah in his home. The notes were reportedly shredded by rats. This was the sum he had collected, through savings and loans, for an abdominal surgery.
The incident has gone viral in social media and even on some local news channels.
Naik has been left distraught as local banks have refused to accept the damaged notes and hospitals have refused to treat him. Officials from a local bank suggested that he approach the RBI in Hyderabad. Following this suggestion, the elderly man made continued efforts to do so for about four days to exchange the money but to no avail.
KTR, who got to know of the indigent through a news story, instructed the district officials to find out the details of what had happened, and to ensure that Naik got all the help he required, including access to medical services. District officials are currently trying to find out the details and submit a report to the minister.
ST Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathod also instructed officials to provide help to Naik.