The State government's newly conceived rice scheme envisaging provision of rice at the rate of Re 1 per kg to a total of 6,77,630 White and Antyodaya Anna Yojana card holders under the Public Distribution System in the district came into effect coinciding with Andhra Pradesh Formation Day celebrations on Tuesday.
District Collector Siddharth Jain formally launched the Re. 1 a kg rice scheme along with a poor tribal woman at Pedda Tanda in Khammam rural mandal on the occasion of the State Formation Day.
Earlier, Mr Jain unfurled the national flag and paid glowing tributes to Potti Sriramulu at A P Formation Day fete held at the police parade grounds. The ceremony was held amidst elaborate security arrangements made by the police.
The elected public representatives concerned and prominent political functionaries stayed away from the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Jain said as many as 73,132 new white ration cards would be issued during the second phase of Rachabanda programme commencing from November 2.
The Re. 1 a kg rice scheme would be extended to the new ration card holders of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. A total of 20,000 Indiramma houses and 11,762 pensions will be sanctioned during Rachabanda phase-II.
Pointing out at the deficit rainfall recorded in 31 mandals in the district during the last rainy season, he said crops had been damaged on 89,431 hectares under the impact of the dry spell. Stating that the government has already declared 31 mandals as drought affected areas in the district, he said 3125 quintals of seeds were being distributed on 50 percent subsidy to the farmers to enable them grow alternative crops in 20,000 hectares.
“The farmers should refrain from resorting to extreme steps,” he appealed.
He said 61 paddy purchase centres were being set up under the aegis of the IKP self-help women groups to procure the paddy produce of the farmers.
It has been decided to sanction crop loans worth Rs 245 crore to the farmers for Rabi till March 2012.
Superintendent of Police P Hari Kumar, Joint Collector M M Naik and others were present.
Black flags hoisted
Pro-Telangana activists hoisted black flags at different places in the district in protest against the State Formation Day celebrations on Tuesday.
According to sources, the police foiled an attempt by a group of Telangana protagonists from entering into the Collectorate with black flags here in the morning. However, some protesters managed to hoist a black flag in the vicinity of the Collectorate complex an hour later.
Unidentified persons believed to be pro-Telangana activists hoisted a black flag on the premises of the municipal office in Kothagudem town.
The A P Formation Day ceremony was held under tight security at the police parade grounds in Khammam with a large contingent of police guarding the venue to prevent untoward incidents.
Barring officials and people from a cross section of the society, none of the prominent politicians turned up for the function.
