The first day of the welfare program saw criticism from the Opposition and protests from opponents, not to mention absent 'beneficiaries'.
By and large, the first day of the Rachchabanda program went almost on expected lines, with criticism from the Opposition and protests from opponents, not to mention absent 'beneficiaries' from the venues, largely in the Telangana region.
The one major shock to the government, which launched the prestigious program at an estimated cost of Rs. 2,500 crore, was the boycott by leaders of the ruling party.
On the inaugural day, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy faced embarrassing moments at Srikakulam, when a woman beneficiary pointed out that she had not yet been allotted her house under the Indiramma Housing Scheme when others who had applied along with her had received their dwellings.
Though the CM tried to comfort the woman by ordering an 'enquiry' into the issue, the words did not pacify her.
Similarly, elsewhere in the state, the Rachchabanda did not go on as expected.
At most venues, the program went off without the attendance of the beneficiaries and representatives, and without seeing any business transactions, due to the TRS' interruptions.
In Adilabad district in Narayankhed, the TRS, the BJP and the TDP organised a rally to oppose the program.
The TRS chief KCR, along with their party MP former actress Vijayashanti, were to tour Medak district, which coincided with the launch of Rachchabanda program.
The TRS activists had a free-for-all in most of the Telangana region and the ministers and the MLAs had a tough time, according to reports reaching here.
Home Minister P Sabitha Reddy in Ranga Reddy district pleaded for some cooperation for a fruitful Rachchabanda, but to no avail.
In Nizamabad district, Major Irrigation Minister P Sudharshan Reddy took part in the program despite stiff opposition from the protestors.
Civil Supplies Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu in Mahamutharam mandal in Karimnagar district and Handloom Minister P Shankar Rao in Bolarum near Secunderabad were among others who were blocked
by TRS men.
Health Minister D L Ravindra Reddy in Kadapa district condemned the TRS' blockade of the program, and maintained that Telangana statehood cannot be linked to Rachchabanda, which was aimed at implementing the welfare measures for the poor.
Most of all, it was the Congress' MPs who put the ruling party in poor light.
In Krishna district, Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal is believed to have come to blows with a local representative who questioned the modalities of the Rachchabanda.
Accompanied by Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, the CM, who had completed his inaugural program at Rajam, Srikakulam district, though faced with stiff resistance from the above-mentioned woman member of the Indiramma Housing scheme, announced a series of 'boons' to the local beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister then moved on to Vijayanagaram district, where, at a public meeting, he announced that Rs. 432 crore was being released towards Vaddi interest for 15 days, and that 5.70 lakh ration cards were also to be issued.
Secunderabad MLA and former actress Jayasudha and Mayor B Karthika Reddy also took part in the program.
Courtesy: INN