Former MLA and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Anantapur district president Anantha Venkatarami Reddy urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to renew the Foreign Contribution (Registration) Act (FCRA) of Rural Development Trust (RDT), which has been extending its services in various sectors since the last 55 years in the drought-hit Rayalaseema region, particularly in Anantapur.
Speaking to the media in Anantapur on Sunday, the senior leader said that the services of RTD are not just limited to Anantapur, but extend across the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “RDT is not affiliated to any religion or a region. It has been working for the upliftment of the poor and its existence is at stake as the Centre has kept the FCRA of the trust pending,” Mr. Venkatarami Reddy said.
The RDT was set up by Spanish humanist Vincente Ferrer in 1969. After the death of Vincente Ferrer in 2009, it has been managed by his wife Anne Ferrer and son Moncho Ferrer. Mr. Venkatarami Reddy said that the trust is working towards the upliftment of people’s lives in 3,500 villages across A.P. and Telangana. “The trust is working in various sectors, including women empowerment, education, development of villages, health, and sports. It has a national and international reputation,” he said.
Mr. Venkatarami Reddy said that the RDT had constructed a sports centre, Ananta Kreeda Gramam, in 32 acres on the outskirts of Anantapur and has been offering training to sports enthusiasts in cricket, hockey, football, athletics, judo, tennis and others. Apart from providing education to the poor, the RDT is also instrumental in forming 8,112 self-help groups (SHGs) for women.
The former MLA added that the trust has announced the cancellation of RDT Common Entrance Test, which would hamper the prospects of poor people to pursue higher education. “We urge the Chief Minister to intervene and persuade the Centre to renew the FRCA of RDT and allow it to continue its services,” he said.
Published – April 27, 2025 07:32 pm IST
