Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced the launch of ‘Pelli Kanuka’ (marriage gift), a scheme aimed at helping families of brides belonging to poorer and disadvantaged sections of society.
Mr. Naidu said the government would pay ₹20, 000 each to below poverty line (BPL) families and ₹50,000 each to those belonging to the Scheduled Castes, tribes and minorities. The amount would be credited into the respective accounts on the day of marriage but only after thorough verification, he said.
He kicked off the ‘Intintiki Telugu Desam’ programme at Tettangi village of Veeraghattam mandal amid fanfare. He took the lead in the door-to-door campaign by interacting with families and enquiring about the implementation of welfare schemes.
Later, addressing a public meeting in the village, Mr. Naidu said the marriage gift scheme would be a boon for the families which do not have the means to perform marriage of their daughters.
The Chief Minister said 18 lakh houses would be constructed in the State.
“The Telugu Desam could win the 2014 elections with a margin of just 1.6 %, but its lead went up to 16 % in the Nandyal by-election and the Kakinada Municipal Corporation election. We are confident of increasing our vote share as 1.5 crore people have been covered under various schemes. We are sure to win all the 175 Assembly seats, ” Mr. Naidu said.
Coming down heavily on the YSR Congress Party and its president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Mr. Naidu referred to the latter’s remarks during the Nandyal by-election. “We were taught to respect elders, but the Leader of the Opposition leader is making harsh comments. It is time people reacted,” he said. Mr. Naidu promised to appoint one party activist to take care of 25 families in each village.