Hyderabad, Sept.10 (NSS): M. Padmanabha Reddy, president, Forum for Good Governance, wrote a letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on distribution of saris to self-help groups welcomed the efforts made by the Chief Minister for getting Indian Institute of Handloom Technology to Telangana. On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced distribution of 1.3 crore saris annually to S.H.G.s. In this connection Forum for Good Governance has certain reservations.
After formation of Telangana, core sectors like Health and Education were put on back burner and vote catching and unproductive schemes were introduced. One such schemes is distribution of Bathukamma saris. The then Government wasted close to Rs 350 crore annually for distribution of saris which many women did not use.
Because of various reasons, the present Government is in deep financial troubles. Large number of schools in Telangana are in dilapidated condition. The condition of social welfare hostels is in bad shape. Due to recent heavy rains the condition of old school buildings has further deteriorated. Many poor children living in remote areas are not getting quality education. Government priority should be to provide quality education.
Now coming to health sector, Government hospitals do not provide medicines, the patients have to purchase them from private medical stores at huge cost. The prestigious hospitals like Gandhi and Osmania do not supply medicines to patients. Like this, there are many public services, mostly benefiting poor, require attention and funds allocation. The infrastructure especially roads are damaged due to recent rains. They need substantial fund allocation for repairs.
Going by the budget allocation it appears Government is not giving importance to Health, Education and Infrastructure development. Against this background providing quality saris by spending close to Rs 1000 crore of tax payer’s money is not justified. “We have an experience of distribution of Bathukamma Saris, at least keeping that experience in view the present saris distribution has to be reconsidered.
Forum for Good Governance would like to bring it to your notice that people elect Government for good governance and to improve their life standards by providing quality education and health free of cost. “We therefore request the Chief Minister to dispense with distribution of saris. Tax payer’s money should not be squandered to unimportant activities. We also request to increase the budget allocation to health and education sectors to improve the condition of schools, social welfare hostels and hospitals, so that poor are directly benefited.
