AP govt to provide rice at Rs 2 per kg soon: CM

Kurnool, Oct 10 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today declared that all white ration card holders in the state would be provided rice at just Rs two per kg soon.

Addressing a massive gathering after inaugurating the 'Indiramma' houses at Obulapuram village in Dhone mandal in the district, he said ''come what may, the scheme will be implemented within three to six months''.

Refuting the contention of the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu that the Rs 2 kilo rice scheme was 'a patent right of the TDP'', the Chief Minister said Mr Naidu, who had withdrawn the pet scheme of TDP founder N T Rama Rao, had no moral right to speak on the issue.

Dr Reddy alleged that Mr Naidu had increased the price of rice from Rs 2 a kilo to Rs 3.50 in 1996 and then to Rs 5.50 in 2000. He alleged that Mr Naidu had neglected welfare schemes in the state.

He said the government had taken up the 'Indiramma Housing Scheme' with a view to provide houses to all the poor in the state, irrespective of their party affiliation.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the 'Drinking Water Supply Scheme' at a cost of Rs 32 crore in Obulapuram.

Referring to the request of people for setting up of a university in Kurnool district, he promised to establish the university in the next academic year if it was not possible this year.

UNI