No gifts for poor for festival
AP minister's promise on distributing gift packets may be an empty promise
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-10-01 03:12 GMT
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh social welfare minister Ravela Kishore Babu’s announcement on distributing gift packets to Below Poverty Line families in view of the festival season may turn out to be an empty promise.
AP finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu clarified that there is no such proposal with the government. A few days ago, Mr Kishore Babu had said that the government, in principle, decided to give gifts to BPL families.
He had said that the modalities would be worked out and the issue would come up for discussion in the next Cabinet meeting, scheduled on October 1. He had gone on to add that the government was contemplating distributing gift packets comprising dhotis and saris to pensioners and a hamper of essential commodities needed for the festivals.
For Diwali, a box of fire crackers will also be distributed and stationery for schoolchildren will be given in future. Mr Kishore Babu had claimed that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wanted to launch this scheme during Dasara. However, Mr Ramakrishnudu said he was not aware of any such plan.