What moved Sharmila's heart in Khammam?

Scores of physically handicapped people met YSR Congress Party leader Sharmila during her Khammam tour as part of her  'Maro Praja Prastanam' padayatra. Several people shared their problems with Sharmila. The YSRCP leader empathised with the disabled people. Her heart melt at the sight of so many handicapped people in distress.

Responding to their problems, Sharmila  said "YSR was the only chief minister who gave pension for disabled people. During Chandrababu Naidu's rule, he provided pension only to 16 lakh people while YSR extended the same facility to 71 lakh people. an additional 55 lakh people could avail pensions. YSR would say that we should show more affection and love towards disabled persons, if not there is no difference between us and demons."

"This government which came to power on the wings of YSR, has dumped all his welfare schemes instead of implementing them. It has left disabled people on the roads. While disabled people are asking for a hike in pension, the present government is not even providing the existing pension amount. How does it matter if such governments exist or not. Don't be disheartened. Your Jagan anna will come. He will help you the way YSR did because I have watched both Rajanna and Jagan anna at work. Jagan anna is always thinking about people. Whatever you are demanding are already on the agenda of Jagan Anna. He will certainly make you all happy. He will ensure that uneducated disabled persons will get small loans. He will help you be self-sufficient," the YSRCP leader said.

Some demands of the disabled people

•     Tricycle should be given once in three years
•     Jobs for the educated persons
•     Loans for others to start their own business
•     The present 3% reservation should be increased to 10%
•     All eligible disabled persons should be provided a pension of Rs 1000
•     All families should get 35 kgs rice per month
•     Government must construct homes to the disabled persons under the Indiramma scheme.
•     Free bus and rail passes must be given

The disabled persons also complained that they feel harassed when the government officials come on a house visit every year to verify if the pension beneficiaries are dead or alive. Harish Reddy, a native of Tallada said,"The government comes knocking on our doors to see if we are still alive. As if our physical disability is not enough, the government adds to our mental stress." The hassled native also said, "I have a small clarification akka! This district has two ministers and we have not seen even one for the past one year. Why isn't the government verifying if the ministers are dead or alive?"

Sankarraya from Chervumadaram expressed anger over Kiran Kumar Reddy's failure to implement pension scheme initiated by YSR. "I am unable to move without a stick and I am in a helpless condition. Yet I have ran around from pillar to post, cashing every political leader seeking pension. But none helped me. Kiran Kumar Redy can't save us. Jagan Anna must come back. We disabled persons are willing to stand by Jagan and vote him to power. Perhaps then those officials will come to home to give my pension  amount."

- Siva@sakshipost