kadapa, february 28, 2008: A.P. Agricultural Workers Union State Secretary B. Venkat launched a padayatra in Kummara street in Kadapa on Thursday demanding earmarking of Rs. 50,000 crore from Rs. 1.43 lakh crore State budget for the welfare of SC, ST, BC and minorities in the State.

Mr. Venkat and party functionaries campaigned from door to door in the 37th and 39th municipal divisions on the demand, as a prelude to the party’s Chalo Hyderabad rally slated on March 19. The Government gave a raw deal to the downtrodden and weaker sections in the State budget, he alleged. Budgetary outlay for these sections of society was pruned compared to previous budgets, he said.
Revenue projected

The Government projected a revenue accrual of Rs. 71,000 crore, as against Rs. 56,000 crore in the past, and sought to earn Rs. 12,000 crore by alienating 1.50 lakh crores worth of valuable lands of big firms, Mr. Venkat said.

Lands worth Rs. one lakh crore were handed over to major companies in special economic zones last year, he alleged. The budget made no provision for curbing the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

Arogyasri scheme was allotted Rs. 450 crore for benefiting corporate hospitals, he alleged. He accused the Government of overwhelmingly allotting funds to Kadapa district at the cost of welfare of downtrodden and weaker sections. He demanded enhancement of pension amount for the aged, widows and physically challenged to Rs. 400 a month. Mr. Venkat warned that construction of a multiplex shopping mall and business class hotel in the old RIMS and erstwhile municipality lands.

He demanded construction of a shipping complex to accommodate Muslims who were losing livelihood due to road-widening works. He demanded allotment of house sites and housing for every poor family.

CITU leader N. Ravisankar Reddy, Convenor of Welfare Association for Poor K. Anjaneyulu and other organisations participated.

Source: The Hindu