LPG for ₹500, 200 units free power: Priyanka Gandhi to launch Telangana's two guarantees on Feb 27

Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy has announced that All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Priyanka Gandhi will launch the Congress government’s two more guarantees — LPG refill for Rs 500 and 200 units of free power on February 27.

Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, over 40 lakh beneficiaries would be given an LPG refill for Rs 500 and 42.07 lakh households would be given 200 units of free power under the Gruha Jyothi scheme in Telangana, Revanth Reddy said while addressing a press conference at Medaram after offering prayers at the Sammakka Saralamma (Medaram) Jatara.

The chief minister said that the state government has already begun implementing two guarantees--free bus travel for women and enhanced Arogyasri limit to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh. “We are holding talks with the banks to implement a Rs 2 lakh loan waiver for the farmers. The Congress government will fulfill all the assurances made during the Assembly elections,” he said.

Elaborating further, Revanth Reddy said that within 60 days of coming to power, the government filled over 25,000 jobs. As many as 6,956 staff nurses have been appointed, 441 Singareni employees, and 15,000 police and fire department jobs were also filled. He also added that another 6,000 more jobs will be filled on March 2, 2024.

The chief minister took a broadside at BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), his son Siricilla MLA KT Rama Rao (KTR), and his nephew Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao for spreading misinformation on job recruitment. Plans are also being prepared to establish 10 Skill universities to provide jobs for the youth in rural areas, he said.

Sammakka Saralamma blessings to Telangana

Revanth Reddy said, “`Indiramma Rajyam'. Congress government was formed in Telangana only with the blessings of Sammakka-Saralamma deities. The state received bountiful rains and four crore people are happy with the abundant crops. ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo yatra’ was also started on February 6, 2023 from here.”

The chief minister said that around Rs 110 crore was allocated for the smooth conduct of jatara to provide amenities to the approximately 1.50 crore devotees. TSRTC is operating as many as 6,000 special buses to ensure a hassle-free journey for the devotees, he said, and added that over 18 crore women utilized the free bus travel under the Mahalakshmi scheme.

Reiterating that the Congress government is for the poor, he said Samakka–Saralamma influenced the Telangana people to fight against the evil political forces. “The government is striving to solve the problems of all sections by reaching out to them through Praja Palana. In these 75 days of rule, the government has tried to create an assurance and instill confidence among people that the government is always at their doorstep. The government’s agenda is the people's agenda and to convert their agenda into government policies and move forward,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi should visit Jatara

Revanth Reddy expressed displeasure at the Modi government for not announcing Jatara, which is called Dakshin Kumbh Mela, as a national festival. Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy turned down the state’s request many times. The Union government is showing discrimination between North India and South India, he criticized. The chief minister appealed to the Centre to accord priority to the Medaram Jatara and Modi should also come and offer prayers there.

BJP turned a blind eye to KCR family’s loot

Revanth Reddy said that the government has proved the KCR family looted public money in the Kaleshwaram project. He accused KCR of spending his days in a farmhouse and not taking any action on lifting water by Andhra Pradesh indiscriminately. “KCR bankrupted the state with the mounting debts of Rs 7 lakh crores. Narendra Modi never prevented KCR from looting the state for the last ten years,” he said.

The chief minister ridiculed the BJP leaders' demand to hand over the case to the CBI after the government permitted a judicial inquiry into the irregularities unearthed in Medigadda Lakshmi Barrage. He asked whether the BJP leaders, who have been in power at the Center for ten years, filed a case against the KCR family and also sought to know why the central agencies - CBI, ED and IT were not responding.

Revanth Reddy alleged that the BJP leaders have no intention of taking action against KCR's loot except for a share in the ill-gotten money. He warned that BRS leaders will have to face trial under the supervision of retired High Court and Supreme Court judges soon.

Guidelines for Mahalakshmi scheme

Under the Mahalakshmi scheme, beneficiaries are required to pay the entire price at the time the cylinder is delivered.

Through direct benefit transfer, the government will provide subsidies to the beneficiaries.

LPG customers whose names are included in the food security cards (ration cards) are eligible.

More applications will be accepted later; they ought to have applied through Praja Palana.

LPG cylinder usage is restricted to the previous three years' average usage.

Gruha Jyothi for 200 units free power

Applications received through Praja Palana having valid food security cards (ration cards) are eligible.

Free power up to 200 units per service connection will be available to every household.

No bills will be generated if monthly consumption is less than 200 units.

A bill for the total number of units used will be created in all other circumstances.

Beneficiaries claiming eligibility under Gruha Jyothi can apply for the scheme through the mandal parishad development office or the municipal commissioner's office