Praja Palana Registers Windfall Applications

Hyderabad: Day-2 of the Praja Palana programme, initiated by the state government to deliver the Six Guarantees promised by the Congress, continued to see a substantial influx of applicants across the state on Friday.

While 7,46,414 applications were received during the grama/ward sabhas conducted in villages, towns, and cities on Thursday, the figures for Friday are yet to be released. Urban areas accounted for 4,57,703 applications, while rural areas contributed another 2,88,711 applications.

Sources indicate that they expected the same number of applications as recorded on Thursday. Notably, a considerable number of applications were submitted for Indiramma houses and Cheyutha pensions.

Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari conducted a teleconference on Friday with senior officials from all districts, addressing difficulties faced by people in submitting applications on the first day. She instructed officials to implement measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Owing to an unexpectedly high turnout, several centres reported a shortage of application forms. Exploiting this situation, photocopy centres and brokers sold application forms for Rs.100 each, while the government provides them for free.

Officials told the Chief Secretary that this issue was resolved on Friday. Additionally, Santhi Kumari directed officials to establish separate counters for women, senior citizens, and the physically challenged, ensuring basic facilities like drinking water and toilets at the centres.