Welfare, development and good governance priority of coalition govt: AP CM Naidu

Narsapuram, Sept 1 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said the coalition government was giving priority to welfare, development and good governance, with the economic empowerment of the poor as its primary objective.

Participating in the distribution of NTR Bharosa pensions at Mogalthur in Narsapuram Assembly constituency, Naidu said enhanced pensions were being provided to senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities and other sections.

He said Rs 73,507 crore had so far been distributed to beneficiaries through pensions, while Rs 1.50 lakh crore had been spent on welfare programmes during the past two years.

Recalling that he had first taken oath as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh on September 1, 31 years ago, Naidu said several reforms and programmes had since been introduced to promote public awareness and people’s participation in governance.

He said the savings movement through DWCRA groups had laid the foundation for women’s empowerment.

Under Deepam-2.0, three free LPG cylinders were being provided to women every year, while 33 per cent reservation had been provided to ensure greater participation of women in all sectors.

Naidu said one lakh DWCRA women had become MSME entrepreneurs last year and the target had been increased this year.

Marketing facilities would be provided for their products through the ‘Swayam’ brand, he added.

The Chief Minister said the government was taking measures for the economic and social advancement of SCs, STs and minorities.

Reservations had been provided for Vadderas in mining and toddy tappers in liquor shops, while SC categorisation had also been implemented, he said.

He said tribal students were being provided training for competitive examinations and opportunities for higher education in institutions such as IITs and IIMs.

Naidu said the presence of poor people in any village should be considered a matter of concern and asserted that the government was working to reduce economic inequalities and ensure a dignified life for all.

Through the P4 initiative, efforts were being made to improve people’s living standards, he said.

On irrigation, the Chief Minister said Krishna waters had been taken to drought-prone areas through the Veligonda Project. Efforts were also underway to divert Godavari water to North Andhra through the left canal.

Godavari water would be taken to Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam next year and subsequently to the Vamsadhara region, he said.

The ultimate objective was to address the country’s water problems through river interlinking, Naidu said.

Criticising the previous government for driving industries out of the State, he said this had adversely affected employment opportunities for youth.

The present government was working to attract large-scale investments to Andhra Pradesh, he said.

Naidu said power utilities were being managed efficiently and electricity was being procured at lower prices. The burden of electricity charges had been reduced through the True Down initiative.

Power was being supplied to aqua farmers at Rs 1.50 per unit, he said, adding that Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture products should be developed to compete in international markets.

The government was also exploring a system to provide government services online to 1.60 crore families in the State, while special focus was being placed on installing solar panels on households under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.

Assuring development of the Narsapuram region, Naidu said an Aquaculture University, a dump yard and Delta Modernisation works would be taken up.

He said the NDA alliance would remain unbeatable whenever elections were held in the State and stressed that rural development was possible only when local bodies were strengthened.

Ward members and sarpanches, along with MLAs and MPs, should actively participate in governance to secure greater Central funds for rural development, he said.

Naidu alleged that attempts were being made to obstruct local body elections and hinder the development taking place in the State.

Ministers Nimmala Ramanaidu and Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju, Union Minister Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Whip Bolisetti Srinivas and other leaders participated in the programme.

TNT KM