Balayya promises the moon to fishermen

Cine actor N. Balakrishna has promised fishermen that the TDP, if elected to power, will provide them a dole of Rs. 700 per month during lean season and supply 100 kg rice, petrol and diesel on subsidy.

On the fourth day of his tour in Prakasam district, the actor travelled through the coastal villages in Kothapatnam mandal on Sunday. He promised three cents of land for cultivation to handloom weavers of Eethamukkala village besides a house site and financial assistance of Rs. 1.25 lakh for house construction. He also promised yarn and colours on subsidy to them. They would also be provided free power.

Sops to people

He promised to bring salt industry under the agricultural sector to help it get soft loans. Saying that the TDP government would provide colour television sets free of cost to poor people, he exhorted them to use them not only for their entertainment but also enrich the knowledge of their children.

Earlier, Mr. Balakrishna got down from his vehicle to interact with Bengal gram farmers at Surareddypalem. The farmers alleged that Agriculture Minister Raghuveera Reddy had colluded with a private agency to deny remunerative price to them.

Mr. Balakrishna came down heavily on the Congress government accusing it of taking away valuable lands of farmers for Special Economic Zones. The TDP government had wanted to develop coastal areas into tourism spots but the Congress government handed over lands to corporate sector, he alleged.

Packed schedule

Damancharla Janadhan accompanied him in the reserved Kondepi constituency where he is seeking ticket to one of his surrogates. Telugu Desam district president Karanam Balaramakrishna Murthi and MLC Sidda Raghava Rao travelled on the roof-top of the bus along with Mr. Balakrishna.

After making night halt at Ongole, he would tour Chirala and Perchoor constituencies on Monday.