Oppn MLAs interrupt CM, protest against his remark on power stir

Mancherial: The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy faced some embarrassing moments when two MLAs from the opposition parties vociferously objected to his remarks against them in his speech at a public meeting here on Wednesday. After launching several welfare measures in the district, the Chief Minister told a public meeting that he could not understand why opposition MLAs sat on the roads 'to protest against nonexistent hike' in power tariff. Gunda Mallesh, CPI MLA from Bellamapalli, and N Odhelu, TRS MLA from Chennuru, who were on the dais got up and vociferously protested the CM's remark. They alleged that the Chief Minister was insulting the opposition and tried to interrupt his speech. They voiced their protest against the power cuts, hike in power tariffs, and vowed to continue their agitation. Ministers Pithani Satyanarayana and P Bala Raju pacified them. Earlier, some women raised slogans against non-implementation of welfare schemes in their villages when the Chief Minister launched Indiramma Kalalu scheme in Chinagopalpur village in Mancherial mandal. The women alleged that no welfare measure was implemented in their village so far. Some BJP and Telangana JAC members tried to raise pro-Telangana slogans while the Chief Minister was speaking. However, he continued his speech ignoring their protests. Speaking at an orientation camp at Chinagopalpur, the Chief Minister said the government increased the cost of houses being built for SCs and STs from the present Rs 65,000 to Rs one lakh. He called upon the SC and ST communities to shed their ignorance and get benefits flowing from the statutory implementation of SC and ST sub-plan in the state. The Chief Minister said the government would spend funds for the welfare of SCs and STs proportionate to their population. He disclosed that 36 percent of Adilabad population consisted of SCs and STs. Kiran Kumar said that from the Telugu New Year Day Ugadi, the government would supply essential commodities to the people at affordable prices. Later, he laid foundation stones for several welfare schemes in Bellampalli, Mancherial and Kagaznagar constituencies.