Freebie scheme for washermen, barbers& tailors launched

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh launched yet ar freebie scheme on Wednesday with Chief Minister distributing Rs 247 crore to over 2.47 lakh washermen, barbers and tailors.

This scheme is also named after Chief Minister and called 'Jagananna Chedodu' (Jagans handholding), under which each beneficiary has been given Rs 10,000.

Of total 2.47 lakh beneficiaries, 82,347 are washermen, 38,767 barbers and 1,25,926 tailors.

Rythu Bharosa, Amma Vodi, Pension Kanuka, Vidya Devena, Vasathi Deevena, Vahana Mitra, Nethanna Nestham and Matsyakara Bharosa are some of welfare schemes being implemented by government.

Speaking on occasion, Chief Minister said his government had given away Rs 42,465 crore in cash to 3.58 crore people in last one year.

"Never in history did poor get benefited in this fashion in state," Chief Minister said.

He said those who felt left out (of scheme) need t worry as y could apply for benefits any time through respective vill or ward secretariats.

"Every eligible person should get benefits, even if he or she did t vote for me.

I will ensure that justice is done to every eligible person," Jagan added.

Deputy Chief Minister P S C Bose, ministers P R Reddy, K Sankaranarayana, Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney and or officials attended.

Chief Minister interacted with some of beneficiaries through a videoconference on occasion.

Meanwhile, industry leaders from fashion and hairstyling industry lauded government's initiative.

Rewned hair stylist Jawed Habib, who runs over 800 salons and 65 hair institutes in country, appreciated Chief Minister for t only recognising barbers' profession for first time ever, but also providing financial assistance at a time when people belonging to se professions are facing huge losses due to lockdown.

Celebrity stylist Harman Kaur in a video mess said, "As someone who hails from an industry which is directly dependent on both tailors as well as stylists, I would like to thank and welcome this move by CM as it is first time a government has come up with a scheme catering specifically to se professions."

He hoped that more such schemes benefiting people across strata would be initiated in near future.