Both union minister G Kishan Reddy and Telangana minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy faced fierce protest from the flood victims, when they went to visit flood affected areas in Khammam district. The victims deplore that even after a week of floods, they could not receive any assistance either from the central or the state government.
They blocked the minister’s car, when they visited Damsalapuram in Khammam district on Sunday. Even though they lost everything due to the floods, the flood victims complained that they did not receive any assistance from the Center and want the government to support them. Minister Ponguleti tried to pacify them.
Both the ministers accompanied by MPs Etala Rajender and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy visited the flood affected areas. Later speaking to the media, Union Minister Kishan Reddy promised that he will bring additional disaster funds for the victims of Khammam. On this occasion, Union Minister Kishan Reddy said,
“Central and state governments should work together in disaster situations like natural calamities. In such situations, they should serve the people beyond politics. The Center has sent Rs. 1,300 crores under the Advance Disaster Fund to the state of Telangana. It is not appropriate to politicize the flood”, he said.
He promised that both the government will help those who have lost everything due to the rains. Kishan Reddy asked the state government officials to speed up the relief programs for the flood victims. He said that the center will extend assistance soon after receiving a report from the state government on flood-related losses.
Srinivasa Reddy said that it is not appropriate for the main opposition BRS to make political criticisms aside from serving the people. The Minister assured that the Central and State Governments will build concrete houses for all those who have lost their homes. Minister Srinivasa Reddy said that as soon as the banks open, cash will be deposited in the accounts of the flood victims under immediate relief.