Speaking in Rachachabanda program at Vajrapukothuru village in Srikakulam district, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy listed out a number of welfare schemes for the poor run by the government. He told that the recently started Rs. 1 per kg. rice scheme is benefitting nearly 2.35 crore families in the state. He said the Government had constructed 52 lakh houses under 'Indiramma' scheme during the last six years. Another 15 lakhs houses were under construction, while 11 lakh more have been sanctioned under 'Indiramma'. The CM also highlighted other welfare schemes related to pension and ration card distribution.

The state has launched 'Mee Seva' scheme to get rid of middlemen in the government departments and provide quick services to the public, the CM said. The State had purchased 22 lakh tonnes of paddy at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore through Self Help Groups (SHGs), he said, adding the farmers would get interest free loans up to Rs 1 lakh during the rabi season. He said cold storage and food processing units would be established in coastal Srikakulam district for the benefit of fishermen community. Reddy said the Government had declared 11 mandals in the district as drought hit. Roads and Building Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, Forest and Environment Minsiter S Vijayarama Raju, district legislators and officials attended the programme.