Bhumana vows to make Tirupati slum, liquor free

Tirupati: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Tirupati nominee Bhumana Karunakar Reddy said that if he is elected, he would strive for making the famous pilgrim city slum and liquor free. Reddy speaking at the 'meet the press programme' conducted by Press Club, here on Tuesday said that the 42 notified slums in the pilgrim city and ten more slum areas (not notified) still remaining far from development, resulting in the residents leading a miserable life.

"I will take the development of all the slum localities on priority basis to see the world-famous pilgrim city slum free," he averred. Reddy, who was Ex-MLA and former TTD chairman said that he would make renewed effort to declare the pilgrim city 'liquor free' by banning the sale of liquor in the corporation limits to uphold the sanctity of the city and also maintain tranquillity for the sake of thousands of pilgrims arriving daily from nook and corner of the country.

Bhumana stated that as TTD Chairman he was responsible for TTD launching a satellite TV channel 'Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC)' boosting TTD efforts for propagation of Sanathan Hindu Dharma worldwide.

Besides, he said he introduced 'Dalitha Govindam' a path breaking initiative by TTD for conducting religious programme like Kalyanotsavam in the colonies of SC and STs. Karunakar also recalled several initiatives he introduced when he was serving TTD as its chairman including free food to 25,000 students studying in TTD educational institutions, Rs 2 lakh fixed deposit in the name students studying in Vedic school and also mass marriage programme benefitting 37,000 couples.

Reddy who began his public life as Radical Students Union (RSU) activist, said that he would do his best for the implementation of Navaratnalu, series of welfare and development initiatives promised by YSRCP and exuded confidence that his party would come to power this time. Press Club President Bhaskar Reddy, secretary Subramanyam, Treasurer Rajendra and others were also present.