'AP ahead of WB government in implementing welfare programmes'

Kolkata, June 7 (UNI) Congress Chief Whip in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly N Kiran Reddy today claimed that the Y S Reddy Government was far ahead of the West Bengal Government in implementing welfare programmes.

"We have implemented welfare programmes ten times more than the Left Front Government in West Bengal. Our Government is for the people, but the ruling Left Front here is biased in getting all the benefits of central assistance only to give those who support the ruling coalition," he told mediapersons here.

Explaining the three-years' performance of Dr Y S Reddy-led AP government, he said his government has taken several programmes, including free power to all the farmers and giving Rs 10 concession to those houseowners who used one bulb in their residence.

The AP government also did not hike the prices of electricity in industry and domestic area, he said.

He said the AP government was also maintaining their election manifesto, including housing for poor, pension for aged and widows, drinking water, school and sanitation to all.

Referring to a query, he said " our land acquisition policy for industrialisation is the best package in the country and we have no problem in our state for land acquisition. " Mr Reddy also said that the Naxalite problem in AP has been reduced because of the Chief Minister's intervention.

West Bengal CLP leader Manas Bhuiya and Pradesh Congress working president Pradip Bhattacharjee were also present.

UNI