As many as 10,138 persons turned beneficiaries at the ‘Mega Runa Mela,’dubbed ‘Pedarikam Pai Gelupu’ (victory over poverty), conducted by the State government here on Thursday.
After distributing assets such as sewing machines to tailors, washing machines and iron boxes to washermen, drilling kit to electricians, loom equipment for weavers, saloon chairs to barbers and wood cutters to carpenters, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled his efforts to benefit the people, notwithstanding the ‘non-cooperation’ from the Centre.
He said the financial allocation had been made to benefit the weaker sections, minorities and women.
“We have allocated ₹64,400 crore for welfare schemes in the last four years,” he pointed out.
The government was spending ₹1,000 crore towards distribution of assets under ‘Adarana,’ a poverty alleviation programme. More than half of the 7.5 lakh registered beneficiaries had received assets.
Claiming that 89.5% of beneficiaries in Chittoor district had expressed satisfaction over distribution of tools, Mr. Naidu listed NTR Bharosa, Pelli kanuka, CM Yuvanestham, Jagjivan Rao Jyoti, Anna Canteen, Chandranna Bima and a host of welfare measures to reach out to the various categories of beneficiaries.
“We have taken the responsibility to build 25 lakh houses in the state, thus reaching out to the homeless poor in the last village,” he asserted. Minister for Industries N. Amarnatha Reddy, Collector P.S. Pradyumna and MLA M. Sugunamma took part. Earlier, he garlanded the statue of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar at SV University, to commemorate his death anniversary.
Spiritual park
Mr. Naidu later laid the foundation stone for ‘Sri Venkateswara Spiritual Theme Park,’ coming up at the sprawling Avilala tank. Estimated at ₹181 crore, the TTD plans to spend ₹80.14 crore in the first phase towards internal fencing and compound wall for 3.5 km, ticket counters and a huge parking lot to accommodate almost 500 two-wheelers, 400 cars and 65 buses, besides walking and cycling tracks.
The highlights of the park are an astro-garden, reservoirs reflecting the biodiversity of Seshachalam ranges, children’s park, an exclusive aviary for parrots and a unique ‘Garuda Vanam.’
TTD Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav, Executive Officer A.K. Singhal, Joint Executive Officers K .S. Sreenivasa Raju and Pola Bhaskar, Chief Engineer Chandrasekhar Reddy were among the participants.
