The ‘Sthreenidhi' scheme, which is being implemented in rural areas will be extended to the urban-based Self Help Groups (SHGs) in 120 towns across the State and the decision will be taken in the next Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) board meeting, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy announced here on Tuesday.
Mr. Reddy said Rs.1,000 crore fund would be allocated for empowering the urban SHGs under the scheme and similarly ‘Mahila Samkhya Bhavans' will be constructed in these towns spending Rs.25 lakh each.
Overwhelmed by the huge crowd at the Rachabanda programme held at L. B. Nagar, the Chief Minister recalled the number of schemes launched in the State and particularly those benefitting Ranga Reddy district.
He said 4,500 government jobs will be provided to youth in Ranga Reddy district area as part of the government's ambitious programme of filling up 1.16 lakh jobs.
At the same time 80,000 jobs would be created in Ranga Reddy district in various sectors.
Referring to the unique extreme urban and rural mix of the district, he said 2.28 lakh ration cards will be given in the district of which 21,043 will be in L. B. Nagar area only. Similarly, 23,000 pensions and 22,000 houses will be sanctioned to the district. He also spoke of Mee Seva centres to be launched that will host several public services under one roof.
Mr. Reddy got irritated by the slogan shouting of NSUI activists who praised L. B. Nagar MLA D. Sudheer Reddy and said over enthusiasm will only do harm.
Hundreds of people who could not get into the programme venue covered with several layers of security left the place even before the Chief Minister started his speech.
Those who waited outside rushed to the ration card counters at the venue once the Chief Minister left. Those inside were more interested in registering their names rather than listening to the series of speeches by the guests.
Poor handling of traffic by the over-enthusiastic police during the programme resulted in traffic jams even on the wide road connecting L. B. Nagar and Uppal. The entire stretch leading to L. B. Nagar from Alkapuri cross roads was closed for some time bringing traffic to a halt. Ministers Sabita Indra Reddy, Kasu Krishna Reddy, D. Sridhar Babu; Parliament member Sarve Satyanarayana; MLAs B. Raji Reddy, Akula Rajender, K. Lakshma Reddy, Prasada Rao, Srisailam Goud, Bikshapati Yadav; RR Collector V. Seshadri, GHMC Commissioner T. Krishna Babu were present.
