A 38-year-old woman from Hyderabad, who was stranded and mistreated in Oman, has finally returned home, crediting her rescue to the state government's Prajavani programme. Her story emerged during the programme's second-anniversary event in Hyderabad on Friday, where officials revealed that 48,000 people have been assisted in the last two years.
From Despair to Diwali: A Worker's Harrowing Escape
K Rama, visibly elated, shared that she had lost all hope of returning after her employer confiscated her passport and her visa expired. "I never thought I would ever return home," she told attendees. Rama had gone to Oman as a caregiver for a 90-year-old but was forced to care for seven children and do household work. Upon refusal, the family ill-treated her, denying food and medicine.
When her employers refused to let her leave, her husband approached Prajavani. Within ten days, she was back in Hyderabad, landing on Diwali day amid celebrations. She highlighted that about 80 migrant workers from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka remain stuck in Oman, unable to pay overstaying fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
Beyond Rescue: Electricity, Borewells, and Jobs Restored
The event also showcased other success stories. A group of five farmers from Adilabad's Kura village, belonging to the SC community, explained how Prajavani helped them secure electricity and a borewell. "Though we got three acres from the govt, we were solely dependent on rain," said farmer Nerella Linganna. After approaching the programme, Rs 14 lakh was sanctioned within hours for the borewell and power lines, enabling them to grow two crops annually.
Other beneficiaries reported getting their jobs back, receiving medical benefits, securing 2 BHK homes, and completing vehicle registrations through the platform's intervention.
"Ghosts Reciting Vedas": Govt Hits Back at Critics
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu used the anniversary to counter opposition criticism, calling the programme genuine and impactful. He stated that 74% of complaints received through Prajavani have been resolved. The programme accepts public applications twice a week.
"Those who ruled the state for 10 years without even opening the gates of Praja Bhavan for the people are now saying that we are running this programme merely as a formality," Bhatti remarked, comparing the criticism to 'Deyyalu Vedalu Vallinchatam' (ghosts reciting the vedas). He asserted that a programme like Prajavani is not implemented anywhere else in India.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, district officials, and numerous beneficiaries were present at the event, underscoring the scheme's broad reach.
