CM KCR addresses a public rally in Gadwal on Monday

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, addressing a public rally in Gadwal, which is close to Andhra Pradesh, appealed to the public to compare the two Telugu states to note the visible difference in terms of development achieved by Telangana state over the past nine years.

The Chief Minister said, "Andhra Pradesh is just 25 kilometres away from here. Telangana state has 24-hour power supply. Areas located on the other side of Tungabhadra bridge (Andhra Pradesh) have no 24-hour power supply. During Telangana statehood agitation, they said Telangana state will plunge into darkness if AP is bifurcated. You can see the difference today."

Rao urged people to support the BRS in the upcoming Assembly polls so they can continue to reap the benefits of development programmes like the Rythu Bandhu and Dalit Bandhu.

Continuing his tirade against Congress leaders for their statements against the Dharani portal and promises to scrap it, Rao cautioned people scrapping the portal would cost them benefits, made through direct transfers.

"Because of Dharani portal, you are today receiving Rythu Bandhu amount directly in your bank accounts. In the event of death of farmers for any reason, their kin are receiving `5 lakh free insurance claim directly in their bank accounts within a week. Farmers are receiving amount directly in their bank accounts after selling their foodgrains for MSP. There are no brokers to fleece farmers



due to Dharani," Rao said.

The Chief Minister said: "Congress leaders say they will dump Dharani into Bay of Bengal if they come to power. I ask them whether they want to dump Dharani or dump people in Bay of Bengal because dumping Dharani amounts to dumping people. I appeal to people to decide for themselves whether they want Dharani to be dumped or Congress to be dumped."

Rao said that he brought in the Dharani portal after making three years of relentless efforts for the welfare of farmers and agricultural landowners.

During his visit, Rao inaugurated the newly-constructed integrated district collectorate complex, district police complex and BRS district office.

The Chief Minister also announced a slew of sops, including a special grant of Rs 10 lakh each to 255 gram panchayats, Rs 15 lakh each for 12 mandals, RS 50 crore for Gadwal municipality and Rs 25 crore for the remaining three municipalities.

Rao said that the undivided Mahbubnagar district was bifurcated into five districts to decentralise administration and ensure speedy development.

"It was possible because of the formation of Telangana state and because of our self-rule. There was not a single government medical college in the undivided Mahbubnagar district in AP. But today, it has five medical colleges in five districts," Rao said.