Minister for Minorities Welfare and NTR Vaidya Seva N.M.D. Farooq on Sunday called upon women to make better use of the financial aid being provided by the government for the benefit of neo-natal mothers.
“For those who undergo normal delivery in government hospitals, a sum of ₹8,000 will be handed over on the spot towards medical and other expenses and the same will be ₹14,000 for those who undergo caesarean. In case of undergoing delivery in private hospitals, the amounts payable will be ₹9,000 and ₹16,000, respectively,” he said addressing a public meeting at Samalkot.
Along with Home Minister N.Chinarajappa and other local leaders, the Minister laid the foundation stone for construction of a madarsa building with an estimated outlay of ₹25 lakh in the town.
Minority welfare
He said former Chief Minister the late N.T. Rama Rao was the first leader to look into the living conditions of the Muslims and chalk out welfare programmes for those below the poverty line. “Now, our Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu too is taking similar care to uplift the Muslims in the State and implementing several welfare schemes for their benefit,” he said.
Mr. Farooq said that besides encouraging the construction of mosques, community halls and madarsas, the State government was also extending financial help of ₹50,000 to perform marriages in poor Muslim families. “There are several other welfare schemes designed for the benefit of the Muslims,” he added.
Mr. Rajappa said that Muslims residing in the Peddapuram Assembly constituency were making use of the government schemes and were maintaining a cordial relationship with people around. “I am very happy that the Muslims here are benefiting from the government schemes. Though the financial position is not good, the State government is not compromising with regard to the implementation of welfare schemes,” he said.
New medical ward
Meanwhile, in Tuni, accompanied by Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Mr. Farooq inaugurated a mother and child ward at the government area hospital established at a cost of ₹8.5 crore.
He said top priority was being accorded public health by the State government with special reference to mother and child care.
At a programme organised by the Yanamala Foundation, a trust established by Mr. Ramakrishnudu’s family, Mr. Farooq distributed about 3,000 bedsheets to the physically-challenged. He lauded the efforts of the foundation in conducting medical camps and job melas for youth.
Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Medical Infrastructure Development Corporation Ch. Venkata Gopinath, Tuni Agriculture Market Committee chairman Yanamala Krishnudu and others were present.
