Financial Situation Sole Criteria to Pick Sop Beneficiaries: Ponguleti

Khammam: Revenue and housing minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy reaffirmed on Monday that the Congress government prioritises financial need as the sole criterion for selecting beneficiaries of welfare schemes, distancing itself from the alleged political favouritism of previous administrations.

Speaking at the inauguration of a model Indiramma house built on the premises of the tahsildar's office in Kusumanchi, the minister emphasised that the Congress government has never discriminated based on caste, religion, or political affiliation. “The selection of beneficiaries is purely based on their financial condition, ensuring the benefits of welfare schemes reach all poor families in the state,” he said.

The minister highlighted the Congress government’s commitment to poverty alleviation, citing the earlier achievements of the united Andhra Pradesh Congress government, which constructed the highest number of Indiramma houses in Telangana from 2004 to 2014. He revealed that the current Congress government aims to build 20 lakh Indiramma houses across the state within the next four years.

Srinivas Reddy noted that Telangana voters had chosen the Congress for change in the 2023 elections, and the government has been working diligently to fulfill their aspirations. Despite the financial challenges inherited upon taking office, he assured that fiscal discipline was being maintained, and welfare schemes were being implemented without any compromise. “Our goal is to bring smiles to the faces of the poor and ensure they lead happy lives,” he added.

The minister also announced the upcoming launch of four new welfare schemes on January 26, which aim to further improve the living conditions of the underprivileged. He assured that there is no cap on the issuance of ration cards, and all eligible poor families would be covered under the program. Khammam MP Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy also attended the event.