Chandrababu tried every trick to scuttle house pattas in Amaravati to poor: YS Jagan

VENKATAPALEM, Guntur district: “The gang of thieves led by TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu tried every trick to scuttle the YSRCP government’s move to distribute house sites for the poor as part of the R5 Zone in Amaravati. Not a cent of land was distributed during Chandrababu Naidu’s rule between 2014-19. The TDP chief betrayed people of every section of the society. He will once again come to you with deceptive promises when it is time for elections.

“Naidu’s five-year rule will only remembered for its trademark ‘loot, stash and share the booty’ policy. The man who did not implement even one promise from his 600-point manifesto will once again take you for a ride with a fresh manifesto. You may trust Narakasura, the demon king, but not Chandrababu Naidu, who is only known for deception and backstabbing,” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has said.

In a historic event, the Chief Minister on Friday formally launched the programme of distribution of house site pattas to 50,793 poor women beneficiaries in the R-5 Zone of Amaravati capital region, spread over Guntur and NTR districts.

Addressing a mammoth public meeting of the beneficiaries to mark the occasion in Venkatapalem of Guntur district, the Chief Minister and YSRCP President launched a scathing attack on Chandrababu Naidu, TDP, its friendly media besides the latter’s foster son Pawan Kalyan. “All the wolves are ganging up together again to deprive the poor of their right to secure lands in the capital region,” he said.

The Chief Minister also handed over to the beneficiaries 5,024 TIDCO houses constructed at a cost of Rs 443.71crore in the CRDA region.

YS Jagan said that construction of houses in all 25 layouts would begin on July 8 coinciding with the birth anniversary of his father and former Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy. In the next one week, geo-tagging of all beneficiaries would be completed, he said.

The State Government would spend Rs 2,000 crore for the construction of houses and provide infrastructure in 25 layouts benefiting 23,762 poor women who got house site pattas in 11 layouts in Guntur district and 27,031 women who received the pattas in 14 layouts in NTR district.

“The day remains special not only in the State’s history but also in the history of the country as the TDP-backed farmers fought in vain to stop the distribution of house sites by creating legal hurdles and even approaching the Supreme Court. They claimed that the demography of the CRDA would be disturbed.

“These are not just house site pattas, they are social justice instruments too,” YS Jagan said, describing the event as historical and unprecedented.

Explaining the three options under which the houses would be constructed, he said that under the first option, the Government would transfer Rs 1,80,000 directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries who wanted to construct the dwelling units on their own. Under the second option, the Government would transfer the labour expenses directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries after supplying cement, steel and door frames and under the third option, the Government will fully take upon the responsibility of construction.

In all options, sand would be provided free to the beneficiaries while quality steel, cement and door frames would be supplied at subsidized rates as per the policy adopted in all Jagananna colonies across the State, he clarified.

The State Government would also arrange bank loans up to Rs 35,000 each for all beneficiaries at 25 paise interest for expediting the construction, he said, adding tghat the beneficiaries were free to choose the option.

So far, house sites were given to 30,75,000 poor women across the State, out of which 21 lakh women were sanctioned houses each worth Rs. 2. 5 lakh, he said, adding that the worth would go up to Rs 5 or Rs 10 lakh. This amounts to creating property worth Rs 3 lakh crore on the whole, he said.

Speaking about the TIDCO houses, he said that the Government had been handing over the 300 square feet TIDCO houses just for Re 1 to 1,43,000 beneficiries with full rights while the TDP Government tried to exploit the beneficiaries by forcing them to pay Rs 7.20 lakh per each TIDCO flat in instalmens over several years. It amounts to cheating the beneficiaries, he remarked.

Guntur District Collector M Venugopala Reddy, Municipal Administration Minister Adimulapu Suresh, Social Welfare Minister Meruga Nagarjuna, Housing Minister Jogi Ramesh and YSRCP Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy also addressed the public meeting.

Some of the beneficiaries from Guntur and NTR districts also spoke, praising the Government’s initiative.