The Rachabanda programme took place in the city with MLAs attending several meetings in different localities on Tuesday even as the local public and the Opposition Telugu Desam and Left parties registered their protest against indifference in passing on various benefits to the deserving families under various Government schemes.
Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu presided over the programme in 45th division in Madhuranagar area while Vijayawada East MLA Yelamanchili Ravi presided over the meeting in 17th division in Greenlands Hotel and other areas.
Vijayawada West MLA Vellampali Srinivas participated in the programme in 30th and 31st Divisions in Dr. K.L. Rao Park Main Road area.
The people's representatives and officials distributed old-age and handicapped persons' pensions to the beneficiaries. In some places, gas connections were given away to the families. Ration coupons and widow pensions were also among the benefits passed on to the beneficiaries.
At many places, the TDP and the Left parties' leaders raised protest at the Rachchabanda programme saying that many of the deserving and needy poor families were not being extended the benefits under the ongoing programme.
The Opposition leaders raised slogans and entered into an argument with leaders and officials at a meeting at Madhuranagar. The local public, who made several representations during the last Rachchabanda programme, deplored that they were yet to receive the benefits under this and that the administration was turning different to their demand for passing the respective benefits.
