Praja Palana to be Implemented in Transparent Manner, Says Uttam Kumar

Karimnagar: The Praja Palana programme undertaken by the Congress government in Telangana as part of its efforts to implement the ‘six guarantees’ would ensure that the beneficiaries are identified in a transparent and fair manner.

Stating this here on Wednesday, irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said the effort would also be to know the living conditions of the people across the state.

The minister stated this in a review meeting on Praja Palana programme at the Collectorate conference hall. Uttam Kumar, along with the IT minister Sridhar Babu and transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar, government chief whips and MLA Aadi Srinivas and Laxman Kumar and officials of various departments of the four districts of erstwhile Karimnagar attended the review meeting.

Uttam Kumar Reddy asked the officials to collect all applications from the people irrespective of whether or not they attached copies of their ration card and aadhar card. After verifying facts, a decision will be taken on issuing new ration cards, he said.

He said officials must be available round-the-clock to attend to the grievances of the people. “If the officials have any doubts about conducting the Praja Palana programme, they must clear them by approaching the concerned ministers or other higher authorities.

“Officials must not give any scope for irregularities and should not select ineligible people for the schemes. They must discharge their duties in a corruption free and transparent manner,” the minister stressed.

Uttam Kumar said steps will be taken for completing the pending irrigation projects that were started by the previous government in the Karimnagar region. An action plan would be prepared for early completion of the Chinna Kaleshwaram project in Manthani and the Gouravelli project in Husnabad assembly constituencies, he promised.

“We would inspect Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages constructed under the Kaleshwaram project, on Dec 29. Later an inquiry will be ordered into the irregularities,” he said.

The minister said the state and central governments are purchasing rice by investing Rs.39 per kilo and distributing it to the poor families. “Steps will be taken for improving the quality of PDS rice. Some of the rice millers are joining hands with the middlemen and indulging in illegal re-cycling of PDS rice. The Congress government would take stringent actions against such persons,” he warned.