Kamareddy, April 13: Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Monday assured that the Congress government would always stand by Haj pilgrims from Telangana and provide all necessary facilities for a smooth, safe and devout pilgrimage, including special arrangements and assistance services in Mecca.
He was speaking after inaugurating a Haj training camp organised by the Kamareddy District Haj Society at Lakshmidevi Function Hall in Devunipalli for pilgrims undertaking the Haj this year.
The training session, which began in the morning and continued till 2 pm, witnessed large participation from Haj pilgrims from across the district, who attended in significant numbers and underwent detailed training.
On the occasion, religious scholars explained in detail the key religious practices, mandatory rituals and procedures to be followed during the Haj pilgrimage. They also created comprehensive awareness among pilgrims about precautions to be taken, travel arrangements, accommodation, transportation and other logistical aspects.
The scholars further explained possible problems that may arise during the Haj journey and the measures to be taken to address them. Special arrangements, including separate seating and guidance, were made for women pilgrims.
Pilgrims actively interacted with religious scholars and organisers, directly raising their doubts and getting them clarified. They expressed that the training camp would be highly useful in enabling them to perform the Haj properly, safely and with devotion.
Minority religious leaders and Municipal Chairperson Ippa Uma Rani participated in the programme and extended their greetings and best wishes to the pilgrims.
Speaking on the occasion, Shabbir Ali said the Congress government stands firmly on the side of the people and considers their problems as its own. He reiterated that providing timely assistance to those in need reflects true governance.
He said the government’s objective was to ensure that every Haj pilgrim from Telangana is provided with all required facilities, adding that special arrangements, support services and amenities would be made available in Mecca as well.
Welfare schemes and CMRF cheques distributed to beneficiaries in Nizamabad
Earlier in the day, Shabbir Ali and PCC president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud participated as chief guests in a programme held at the R&B Guest House in Nizamabad town, where welfare scheme benefits and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) cheques were distributed to eligible beneficiaries.
Under welfare schemes, 404 beneficiaries received Rs 4,04,46,864 under Shaadi Mubarak, while 187 beneficiaries were given Rs 1,87,21,692 under Kalyana Lakshmi. In total, cheques worth about Rs 5,91,68,556 were distributed.
In addition, CMRF cheques worth Rs 32 lakh were distributed to 54 beneficiaries from various divisions of Nizamabad town.
Shabbir Ali said that despite financial constraints and debt burden, the State government was giving top priority to welfare and implementing schemes as promised to the poor. He said the objective of Shaadi Mubarak and Kalyana Lakshmi was to ensure that marriages of girls in poor families do not become a financial burden.
He stated that the CMRF had become highly beneficial for poor families facing financial distress due to illness, accidents and other emergencies, especially for those who cannot afford expensive medical treatment.
He said the Congress government stands by the poor, treating people’s problems as its own and providing reassurance in difficult times. “Providing help at the right time is true governance,” he said.
He instructed officials and party leaders to work in coordination to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive CMRF assistance and emphasised the need to prevent any ineligible claims.
He also assured that efforts would continue to ensure that every eligible beneficiary receives assistance under the CMRF in future.
Mahesh Kumar Goud said the Congress government had fulfilled several key promises within a short period of coming to power and was demonstrating its commitment through action rather than mere words.
He said development and welfare programmes were being implemented uninterruptedly under people-centric governance. He highlighted that schemes such as free bus travel for women, supply of LPG cylinders at Rs 500 and 200 units of free electricity were already being implemented successfully.
He added that programmes like Indiramma housing, farm loan waiver, Rythu Bharosa, employment opportunities for youth and subsidised rice schemes were aimed at bringing a smile on the face of every poor person.
He said the CMRF scheme was a great boon for people in distress and noted that assistance was being provided in an unprecedentedly transparent manner, without any intermediaries or even a single paisa being charged, directly reaching beneficiaries.
Among those present were Nizamabad Urban MLA Dhanpal Suryanarayana, Gadugu Gangadhar, District Congress president Nagesh Reddy, Town Congress president Bobbili Ramakrishna, Mayor Uma Rani, NUDA Chairman Keshavenu, Haj Committee members, district leaders, public representatives, officials and a large number of beneficiaries and Haj pilgrims. (eom)