AP Govt allocates Rs 16 crore for extremists' rehabilitation

Hyderabad, May 16 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Government today announced allocation of Rs 16 crore for the rehabilitation of 334 extremist families in the State.

In a post-Cabinet press briefing here, State Energy Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir said rehabilitation would be provided to the families of slain naxals, surrendered extremists and arrested naxals. In all, families of 334 extremists would be benefitted by the funds allocated this year.

Referring to the recently-concluded 'Prajapatham' programme taken up in a big way in the State, he said Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had instructed the State Chief Secretary to submit within three months an Action Taken Report on the problems, which came to the notice of the Government during the programme.

Mr Shabbir said the Cabinet had ratified the proposal of forming 50,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Indira Kranthi Patham programme this year. At present, six lakh SHGs were functioning in the State.

Stating the Government would implement the power connection scheme in urban areas on the lines of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameena Vidyutikarana (RGGV) scheme, he said the Government would provide power connection at the cost of Rs 125 to poor families in towns, where the INDIRAMMA programme was launched last year. This new scheme would be implemented with the State Government's funds.

UNI