Kiran Kumar Reddy Claims He Is Better Than Previous CMs

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has apparently adopted a new strategy to prove his leadership in the state. Backed by statistics, the Chief Minister is trying to prove that he is spending more funds than all his predecessors.

Addressing a gathering of women and Uppara workers at his camp at Begumpet office on Saturday, Reddy said that his government has spent Rs. 3,017 crore for the welfare of Backward Classes in the last one year.

Citing other statistics, he said that while Rs. 927 crore was spent on BCs from 1999 to 2004, an amount of Rs. 2,160 crore was spent between 2004 and 2009. It may be mentioned here that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister during the period 1999 to 2004, and Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was the Chief Minister during 2004 to 2009.

Stating that his government was giving prime importance to the welfare of BCs, he said that this could be verified from the spending pattern for the last 12 or 13 years.

The CM made this comparison while addressing the women associated with the Uppara (Nagara) Welfare Association, who came to his camp office to thank him for allotting Rs. 5 crore to the association.

He also assured the women that the demand for the inclusion of Upparas in the BC-A list would be considered by a committee led by a retired judge.

He also claimed that several BC organisations were being given budgetary support with a hike of 1,600 to 2,000 per cent this year.

Kiran Kumar Reddy had made a similar comparison on tribal welfare while interacting with Chenchus at Kunta of Peddaaraveedu Mandal of Prakasam district on October 10. He had said then that while only Rs. 156 crore were spent for ST welfare during 1999 to 2004, and Rs. 340 crore from 2004 to 2011, his government would be spending Rs. 1,562 crore for the welfare of STs this year.

The CM made a similar comparison while flagging off the first batch of Haj pilgrims at Haj House on October 6. Stating that Rs. 498 crore have been allocated this year for the welfare of minorities, he promised that this budget would be enhanced manifold next year. (INN)