Sonia backs deal at Andhra rally, says nuclear power need of the hour

“Our Government has signed an international agreement that will enable more nuclear power plants to generate power. I am sure many of you are asking yourselves why this is so important. It is extremely important because as our economy grows, the demand for power would rise. We need power for our farms, hospitals, schools, factories and every home in every village,” Sonia said in her first ever rally after the Left pulled out.

“At present we are generating power from coal and other natural resources. But the demand for electricity is huge and is growing by the day. To eliminate power shortage in our cities and towns we need the latest nuclear technology and nuclear fuel from other countries,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Sonia inaugurated the Rajiv Arogya Shree, a community health insurance scheme launched by the state Government in 2004, in Nellore. She told the gathering at the police grounds that the Congress governments have worked towards maximum benefits for the poor.

“The Arogya Shree scheme provides modern medical treatment to poor people. Poor people too face life-threatening diseases but they are unable to get proper treatment. Andhra Pradesh has done a commendable job in providing free medical facilities to the poor through this programme and I feel very happy and proud that it is named after my husband,” Sonia said.

Later in the day, the Congress president flew down to Krishnapatnam and dedicated the newly constructed port to the nation and laid the foundation stone for the thermal power plant. Sonia also met local industrialists at the Krishnapatnam port.

Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who had earlier received her at the Tirupati airport accompanied her to Nellore.

He said the Arogya Shree programme reaches out to 7.5 crore poor people in the state. “The state Government had tied up with 887 private hospitals in the state...