Sonia Gandhi Announces Congress' Six Guarantees For Telangana

Aiming to securing power in the State through the upcoming Assembly elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi today announced six guarantees if the party was voted to power: Maha Lakshmi, Rythu Bharosa, Gruha Jyothi, Indiramma houses, Yuva Vikasam and Cheyutha.

Addressing a public meeting at Thukkuguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Gandhi said that it was imperative for the Congress to come to power in Telangana since the fruits of development would reach all sections of the people in the State only then.

"If the Congress comes to power, Telangana will be in the best position in the country," she said.

These are the promises that Gandhi made:

1. Mahalakshmi scheme: cooking gas for Rs 500, Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance and free ride in RTC buses for women

2. Rythu Bharosa: Rs 15,000 financial assistance to farmers per year (Rs 12,000 to tenant farmers), Rs 500 bonus for paddy and cotton crops

3. Gruha Jyothi: Free electricity up to 200 units per family

4. Indiramma Houses: Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to people for construction of their own houses, 250 sq yards of land for family members of Telangana martyrs

5. Yuva Vikasam: Rs 5 lakh education insurance card to students, and an international school in each mandal

6. Cheyutha: Rs 4,000 pension, Rajiv Aarogya Sri insurance upto Rs 10 lakh