AP govt launches ''Rachabanda'' programme

Hyderabad, Jan 24 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NKiran Kumar Reddy today launched his government''s prestigiousmass-contact programme ''Rachabanda'' (village junction) inSrikakulam district, which faced protests from Telanganasupporters including some ruling Congress leaders, in theregion.

Reddy formally launched the programme at Dolapeta inRajam town in Srikakulam district, where he interacted with agroup of people about the implementation of various welfareprogrammes.

''Rachabanda'' aims at checking whether the benefits ofwelfare schemes like old age pensions, poor people housing,ration cards reached the targeted sections or not and to takecorrective measures.

During their interaction with the Chief Minister,participants talked about the implementation of the welfareschemes, including complaints from some women that they arenot getting pensions and that they did not get the housingfacility.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister assertedthat ''Rachabanda'' aims at reaching out to the poorer sectionsof the society bereft of any politics.

"''Rachabanda'' is started to provide the benefits ofgovernment''s schemes to those who are not getting it. There isno politics involved in this. The government would knock thedoors of the poor," he said. .