Hyderabad: Telangana Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir said farmer welfare and the welfare of poor families remained top priorities of the Congress government.
Shabbir Ali and Zaheerabad MP Suresh Kumar Shetkar participated in programmes at Rameshwarpally and Domakonda in Kamareddy constituency on Saturday.
At Rameshwarpally, the leaders distributed newly sanctioned Smart Ration Cards to eligible beneficiaries. They later attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly constituted governing body of the Rameshwarpally Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS).
Speaking at the Smart Ration Card programme at the Reddy Sangham Function Hall, Shabbir Ali said the government wanted welfare benefits to reach every eligible household.
He said Smart Ration Cards would help poor families access essential commodities. The cards would also make it easier for beneficiaries to access various welfare schemes.
The Government Advisor referred to the Six Guarantees and Indiramma housing. He also highlighted women’s empowerment schemes, youth employment opportunities and farmer welfare measures.
Special attention, he said, was being given to Kamareddy constituency. Accordingly, funds were being allocated for roads, education, healthcare, irrigation and drinking water.
Shetkar said public welfare remained a principal objective of the Congress government. He added that the administration was working transparently to ensure welfare schemes reached eligible beneficiaries.
Smart Ration Cards would improve service delivery for poor families, the MP said. He also said the government was coordinating useful Central and State schemes for public benefit.
Farmer welfare gets focus in Rameshwarpally
Later, Shabbir Ali and Shetkar attended the Rameshwarpally PACS oath-taking ceremony. Baddam Indrakaran Reddy took oath as the new chairman, while other members assumed their responsibilities.
Shabbir Ali congratulated the new committee. He said PACS institutions had an important role in strengthening farmers and the rural economy.
A financially strong farming community, he said, was essential for rural development.
“A strong farmer is essential for a strong rural economy. Supporting farmers, who form the backbone of the agriculture sector, is a major responsibility of the government,” he said.
The advisor urged PACS to provide crop loans, quality seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural services on time.
He said cooperative societies should expand beyond loan distribution. Instead, PACS should become comprehensive service centres that address farmers’ needs at the village level.
The new governing body should work responsibly, Shabbir Ali said. Farmers should not have to repeatedly visit government offices for basic services.
He cited Rythu Bharosa, crop loan waiver, free electricity and farmer insurance as key measures. Irrigation development also remained part of the government’s farmer welfare agenda.
Better marketing facilities and stronger rural infrastructure would further support the agriculture sector, he said.
Shabbir Ali also announced that Rs.200 crore had been sanctioned for a Young India Integrated Residential School and College in the Bhiknoor area.
The institution would add to the development focus in Kamareddy constituency. Education, healthcare, roads, drinking water and agriculture were among the sectors receiving attention, he said.
After congratulating Baddam Indrakaran Reddy, Shabbir Ali asked him to uphold the confidence placed in him by farmers.
He urged the chairman and committee members to serve every farmer equally. Political affiliation, he said, should not affect access to cooperative services.
Farmer welfare and PACS priorities at Domakonda
At Domakonda, Shabbir Ali and Shetkar attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly constituted PACS governing body.
Chandrayyagari Anantha Reddy took oath as chairman. Other governing body members also assumed office during the programme.
Shabbir Ali again called for stronger farmer welfare measures through the cooperative system. He asked the new committee to ensure timely access to agricultural inputs.
Crop loans, quality seeds, fertilisers and other services should reach farmers without delay, he said.
PACS should function as comprehensive agricultural service centres rather than focus only on loan distribution. The advisor asked the new body to support farmers at different stages of cultivation.
He also referred to Rythu Bharosa, crop loan waiver, free electricity and farmer insurance. Irrigation development and improved agricultural marketing remained additional priorities, he said.
Development works in education, healthcare, roads, drinking water and agriculture were also being expedited in Kamareddy constituency.
Shabbir Ali congratulated Anantha Reddy and asked him to honour the trust placed in him by farmers. He also urged the committee to provide services without political discrimination.
Congress government will fulfil its promises: Shetkar
Shetkar said the Congress government was implementing its election promises. He said the government would fulfil its commitments to the people.
“There may be some delay, but the Congress government will certainly fulfil the promises made to the people,” Shetkar said.
The MP criticised the previous government over Telangana’s financial position. He alleged that the State had a surplus budget of around Rs.16,000 crore before the previous regime and later accumulated a debt burden of nearly Rs.8 lakh crore.
Shetkar said the Congress government was working to improve the State’s financial position. At the same time, welfare and development programmes would continue, he said.
He urged PACS chairpersons and governing bodies to ensure timely supplies of seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.
Cooperative societies should also provide services locally, Shetkar said. Farmers should not need to repeatedly visit government offices for basic requirements.
He added that rural development, farmer welfare and better opportunities for youth remained important priorities of the Congress government.
Local public representatives, cooperative society members, Congress leaders, party workers, farmers and villagers participated in the Domakonda PACS swearing-in ceremony.