Karimnagar: Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inaugurated a newly constructed Palle Dawakhana (rural health centre) at Vennempalli village in Saidapur mandal of Karimnagar district on Wednesday.

The health centre was constructed at a cost of ₹20 lakh as part of the “Palle Pallaku Ponnam Anna – Palle Pallalo Praja Palana” programme. Later, during a Praja Palana programme held at the Rythu Vedika, the Minister received petitions from villagers regarding various issues and directed the concerned officials to take immediate steps for their resolution.

According to officials, 363 people in Vennempalli receive benefits worth ₹93.58 lakh every month through various welfare schemes. A total of 21 Indiramma houses have been sanctioned in the village, with construction underway, while more houses are expected to be sanctioned in the second phase.

The Minister said 35 women’s self-help groups had received ₹13.50 lakh in interest-free loans, while ₹4.35 crore was released to 35 groups through bank linkage. Farmers in the village received ₹3.30 crore under Rythu Bharosa, while seven farmers received ₹35 lakh under Rythu Bima compensation. Crop loan waivers worth ₹7.13 crore benefited 250 farmers, and ₹6.70 lakh in fine paddy bonuses was released to 213 farmers. The village also received 101 new ration cards.

Mr. Prabhakar advised farmers to focus on dryland crops and oil-palm cultivation in view of prevailing rainfall conditions. He also encouraged farmers to construct recharge pits and farm ponds under the Jalasiri programme, stating that the government would provide financial assistance for such works.

The Minister felicitated Bhagwan Reddy, a farmer engaged in oil-palm cultivation, and urged more farmers to consider the crop as an alternative source of income.

Calling for public participation in making Husnabad constituency plastic-free, the Minister asked residents to reduce the use of plastic and make use of steel banks established in villages.

Mr. Prabhakar also informed people that eligible widows, single women, persons with disabilities, toddy tappers, handloom workers, HIV-affected persons and thalassemia patients can apply for various social security pensions. Eligible applicants have been advised to submit their applications by August 31.

He further urged eligible BC women to apply for the subsidised sewing machines being provided by the government.

The Minister said the “Palle Pallaku Ponnam Anna – Palle Pallalo Praja Palana” programme would continue with the objective of taking government services and welfare schemes directly to the people and resolving their problems at the local level.