By Mohammed Shafeeq
Hyderabad, Aug 22 (IANS) If almost all the schemes implemented by the previous Telugu Desam Party government were named after NTR, the new ones launched by YSRCP government carry YSRs name.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is not only conducting an inquiry into projects launched by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government but is also renaming various welfare schemes.
The schemes implemented during TDP rule were named after NTR, as the TDP founder and former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao was popularly known.
The schemes launched by Jagan Mohan Reddy are named after YSR, as his father and former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was popular among people.
At the very first cabinet meeting in June, ‘NTR Vaidya Seva’, a free healthcare scheme for poor, was changed to ‘YSR Arogyasri’.
Interestingly, YSR as the Congress chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh had launched Arogyasri scheme as ‘Rajiv Arogyasri’ named after former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
YSR, who was the chief minister between 2004 and 2009, named many of his welfare schemes after former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
YSRCP government renamed social security pension scheme ‘NTR Bharosa’ as ‘YSR Pension Kanuka’.
‘Navaratnalu’ (nine gems), the major promises made by Jagan Reddy during the poll campaign, are named after his late father.
Rythu Bandhu, for instance, is named after YSR. Under this scheme Rs12,500 will be paid to every farmer annually towards input cost. The scheme during TDP rule with lesser financial support was called ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’.
‘Badi Pilustondi’ of the previous government for children’s enrollment in schools has been rechristened as ‘Rajanna Badi Bata’. Rajanna was also popular name of YSR.
YSRCP government also plans to re-open Anna canteens with a new name. The TDP government had last year opened over 200 Anna canteens, providing meals to the poor at just Rs.5.
The canteens were named in memory of NTR was also affectionately called ‘Anna’ (elder brother).
The new government is reportedly planning to re-launch the canteens as ‘Rajanna canteens’.
–IANS
ms/in