Will fulfil Navaratnalu in a year: Anil

Nellore: Our government would fulfil assurances of Navaratnalu within a year, said the Irrigation Minister Dr P Anil Kumar Yadav. He participated in various programmes in the city on Monday.

The Minister stated that despite many financial hurdles they had increased pension amout from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,250. Anil conveyed sincere thanks to the people for supporting Jagan Mohan Reddy for forming the government. He said they would increase the pensions at Rs 250 per annum for the next four years. He also said they had reduced eligibility for pension scheme from 65 years to 60 benefitting many people. The Minister assured people of starting payment of new pensions from next month onwards.

Anil Kumar also said the village volunteers are being recruited now and they would personally hand over pensions to the beneficiaries from October visiting every household. They need not worry about collecting ration from the dealers as hereafter volunteers take the responsibility of supplying the essential commodities.

The majority of people were earlier facing difficulty in consuming PDS rice and they are going to supply quality rice from October 2 to the beneficiary, he added. The Minister mentioned that children studying in government or private schools would get the support of Rs 15,000 which would be handed over to mothers on January 26.

Further, he said, they would give the same amount in every June from next year. Anil said they are preparing a plan of action for implementing Arogyasri programme in the coming two months allowing treatment in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. He also said they would handover Rs 75,000 to the eligible women who are between 40 and 45 years in four instalments.

The Minister informed that 90 per cent of belt shops in the State were removed and total prohibition will be implemented within the next four years. Anil Yadav warned that they would respond seriously in case of corruption of the village volunteers and remove them from the activity within one hour in case of the allegations were proved.

Anil distributed cycles to the students at BVS Girls High School. He also participated in meeting with the sanitary staff and distributed two pairs of clothes to them. He informed that the State government had increased wages of the workers from Rs 11,000 to Rs. 18,000 and had lunch with them. Municipal Commissioner Alim Basha, former Deputy Mayor M Dwarakanath and others were present.