20 lakh houses more by next year: CM

Hyderabad, Oct 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the government has proposed to construct 20 lakh houses more by the end of ''Ugadi''-Telugu New Year- next year in the state.

Dr Reddy, who extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of ''Dussehra'', said the welfare schemes of the government were going on at full swing as the government had taken up the schemes with committment to help the poorer sections in the society.

He said the government had already constructed 22 lakh houses in the last three years and another 20 lakh houses would be constructed soon. The government had already allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the housing schemes.

The government's aim was to provide houses to all the needy people in the state, he said, adding the government was ready to spend the amount under the 'housing schemes' for the poor.

The government had taken all measures to control the prices of essential commodities in the state, he said.

He added that the government would not hesitate to spend money on irrigation projects with a view to increase agricultural production and uplift the economic conditions of the farmers.

The government had already prepared an 'action plan' to purchase additional electricity worth Rs 2,800 crore, he said, adding the government would also provide quality power to farmers in the state.

The government also prepared a plan to provide pumpsets to farmers on subsidy.

He said Rs one lakh crore would be provided to one crore women to improve their economic condition, at a minimum interest rate of 25 paise.

The government had provided employment opportunities for women in rural areas under Community Investment Fund, he added.

UNI