logo
Minister launches enhanced midday meals scheme

Minister launches enhanced midday meals scheme

Hans India20 hours ago

Singarayakonda: Social welfare minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy announced that the coalition government is giving top priority to education while launching the midday meal scheme with fine quality fortified rice at the Government School in Mulaguntapadu of Singarayakonda mandal on Thursday.
Speaking at the programme, Dr Swamy emphasised the coalition government's commitment to providing quality education along with nutritious food to underprivileged students. He criticised the previous government for making false promises about providing fine rice meals, stating they had dashed the hopes of the poor.
He praised Education Minister Nara Lokesh for introducing new reforms in the education system that have improved pass percentages in government schools.
He highlighted that they started to distribute textbooks before the start of the academic year and that government schools now offer facilities comparable to private institutions. He said that the coalition government has extended the midday meal scheme beyond primary and high schools to include junior colleges as well.
Dr Swamy announced that the Thalliki Vandanam scheme has been implemented as promised. He said that under the Shining Stars Awards programme, the government is encouraging talented students by providing prize money of Rs 20,000 to outstanding performers, aimed at fostering determination and achievement among students.
At the programme held in Ongole, the district joint collector Ronanki Gopala Krishna, mayor Gangada Sujatha, and other officials launched the enhanced midday meals programme at the DRRM High School. They also participated in the distribution of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishna Vidyarthi Mitra kits to the students.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'Get 15 Paise For Every Rupee Contributed': Karnataka Asks Finance Commission For 'Fair Tax Devolution'
'Get 15 Paise For Every Rupee Contributed': Karnataka Asks Finance Commission For 'Fair Tax Devolution'

News18

time13 minutes ago

  • News18

'Get 15 Paise For Every Rupee Contributed': Karnataka Asks Finance Commission For 'Fair Tax Devolution'

Last Updated: The state has also sought support of Rs 1.15 lakh crore investment to bolster Bengaluru's infrastructure and address regional disparities in Kalyana Karnataka and Malnad Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday demanded a more equitable and growth-oriented fiscal federal structure before the 16th Finance Commission, led by chairman Arvind Panagariya. Siddaramaiah highlighted the stark imbalance in fiscal returns despite Karnataka's significant contribution to the national economy. In an additional memorandum submitted to the commission, Karnataka articulated its vision for reforms aimed at creating a predictable and fair devolution system. 'Karnataka's fiscal strength fuels national growth. It is time to ensure that growth is not penalised but rewarded. We urge the commission to adopt a balanced, forward-looking approach to devolution," the chief minister stated to the media after the meeting. Siddaramaiah underscored the state's share, with Karnataka contributing nearly 8.7% of India's GDP with just 5% of the population and ranking second in GST collections. Despite this, Karnataka receives a mere 15 paise for every rupee contributed to union taxes, a figure drastically impacted by the reduction in its share from 4.713% to 3.647% under the 15th Finance Commission, leading to a cumulative loss of over Rs 80,000 crore. What Karnataka wants Karnataka has sought increased vertical devolution. It has asked to increase the states' share of taxes to at least 50% and cap cesses and surcharges at 5%, along with including union non-tax revenues in the divisible pool. It is also urging a more balanced horizontal devolution. The CM proposed that states retain 60% of their contributions, with 40% directed to less-developed states to balance growth and equity. He suggested a reduction in the weight of the income-distance criterion and greater emphasis on a state's economic contribution to avoid penalising high-performing states. Siddaramaiah advocated for critical reforms to Revenue Deficit Grants and State-Specific Grants, noting that Karnataka's per capita devolution significantly dropped between the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions. Focus Bengaluru The state has sought support of Rs 1.15 lakh crore investment to bolster Bengaluru's infrastructure and address regional disparities in Kalyana Karnataka and Malnad. Siddaramaiah has earlier launched campaigns like 'Our Tax, Our Right" to seek the state's rightful share in the devolution process. First Published: June 14, 2025, 02:39 IST

In 2nd year of rule, Naidu sets welfare agenda with Super Six rollout vow amid fund strain, YSRCP barbs
In 2nd year of rule, Naidu sets welfare agenda with Super Six rollout vow amid fund strain, YSRCP barbs

The Print

timean hour ago

  • The Print

In 2nd year of rule, Naidu sets welfare agenda with Super Six rollout vow amid fund strain, YSRCP barbs

A sum of Rs 10,091 crore will be spent this year on the scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, benefiting 67.27 lakh students, out of which Rs 1,346 crore will go towards improving school infrastructure. On Thursday, the Naidu government issued orders for the implementation of the Thalliki Vandanam (meaning 'salutation to mother' in Telugu) scheme under which every school going student in a financially needy family gets Rs 13,000 handout annually. Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who has repeatedly blamed the previous Jagan government for leaving state finances in dire straits, limiting the new dispensation's ability to implement welfare schemes, has set out to fulfill his poll promises, especially the flagship 'Super Six' guarantees, in the second year of his tenure. The Thalliki Vandanam scheme is one of the Super Six guarantees promised in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-Jana Sena Party (JSP) election manifesto. These promises, along with the anti-incumbency wave, were seen as major factors behind the TDP-JSP-BJP alliance's successful trouncing of the YSR Congress Party last year. Since assuming power 12 June 2014, Chandrababu Naidu has been blaming his predecessor and YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy for the state's poor finances, and the TDP-led NDA government's inability to make good on the 'Super Six' and other promises made in the run-up to the polls. Presenting a white paper on Andhra Pradesh's finances in the assembly last July, Naidu had said his administration inherited debt and liabilities to the tune of Rs 9.74 lakh-crore from the Jagan dispensation. The 'Super Six' promises featured on the first page of Prajagalam–Ummadi (joint) manifesto 2024, along with pictures of Naidu and JSP chief and now deputy CM Pawan Kalyan. The poll promises were popularised among the voters with the slogan: 'Babu's surety, good future guarantee.' The six flagship promises are: 20 lakh jobs to educated, skilled youngsters or Rs 3,000 per month as unemployment allowance; annual financial support of Rs 15,000 for underprivileged women to help them educate their children (Thalliki Vandanam); Rs 20,000 per annum as financial assistance for eligible farmers (Annadata Sukhibava); Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women; three LPG cylinders free to each eligible family per year; and free travel for women in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses. Of these, the Naidu government launched the Deepam 2.0 scheme (three gas cylinders free of cost) on the occasion of Deepawali last year. Also Read: Naidu rolls out 'Thalliki Vandanam', expanding Jagan's Amma Vodi scheme. 24 lakh more students covered Farmers aid & free RTC travel for women soon Speaking at an event at Amaravati Thursday, marking the NDA combine's one year in office, Naidu announced that the Annadata Sukhibhava will be rolled out from 20 June. Annadata Sukhibhava will put Rs 20,000 in the farmers' hands—including the centre's PM Kisan scheme Rs 6,000 per annum support—in three installments annually. Both Thalliki Vandanam and Annadata Sukhibhava are reenactments of Jagan Mohan Reddy tenure's Amma Vodi and YSR Rythu Bharosa. However, Naidu, TDP leaders say, has expanded the ambit and amounts under both the schemes, thereby incurring more budget expenditure on the two welfare schemes. The YSRCP contests the claim. The Amma Vodi assistance was limited to one child per mother, while the Thalliki Vandanam aid is being given regardless of the number of school going children in a financially deprived family. Under the YSR Rythu Bharosa, the Jagan government was giving Rs 13,500 farming assistance to ryots, including the Rs 6000 from PM Kisan Scheme. 'Now, we will be giving Rs 6500 more (than what the Jagan government did),' Naidu told reporters Thursday. While stating that women are getting three free LPG cylinders under the Deepam scheme, the CM said the free bus travel for women in RTC buses can be availed from 15 August. Similar free travel schemes are already running in neighbouring Telangana and Karnataka, both ruled by the Congress party. The chief minister added that his administration is also finalising the modalities for implementing the unemployment allowance scheme. The Aadabidda Nidhi scheme, under which Rs 1,500 per month is given to eligible women of 18 years and above, is also underway, said Naidu. Also Read: As Chandrababu is re-elected TDP head, a look at his rise that began with a coup three decades ago 'Broken promises' The YSRCP has, however, lambasted the Chandrababu Naidu-led government, calling its time in office so far as 'a year of authoritarian and deceptive governance'. Speaking to ThePrint, YSRCP MLA Tatiparthi Chandrasekhar accused Naidu of betraying the people of Andhra Pradesh with his unfulfilled 'Super Six' promises 'for one whole year.' 'Except Deepam, under which also only one free gas cylinder was given, none of the Super Six promises was even initiated during Naidu's first year. Naidu's rule is a saga of deceit and broken promises,' Tatiparthi said. The YSRCP leader criticised Naidu for 'the non-implementation of the Rs 32,400-crore Aadabidda Nidhi scheme yet'. 'This is a betrayal of women's trust,' the MLA charged, adding that during Jagan's tenure, Rs 19,189 crore was disbursed under the YSR Cheyutha, Rs 2,029 crore under the YSR Kapu Nestham, and Rs 1,876 crore under the YSR EBC Nestham, 'schemes that Naidu scrapped after coming to power.' Naidu, meanwhile, also accused Jagan of tearing apart the state during his five years in power, with 'no trace of development'. 'Despite challenges, we are pushing through. I review the finance department for an hour every day. The poorest of the poor are among us. We aim to eliminate poverty and bridge economic inequalities,' said the CM. Once the NDA took charge, Naidu said, 204 Anna Canteens were reopened across the state, providing subsidised, hygienic meals at Rs 5 to the needy every day. 'To support fishermen, Rs 259 crore was transferred to 1.29 lakh beneficiaries, whereas the previous regime gave only Rs 109 crore to 1.09 lakh beneficiaries. Under social welfare pensions, while the previous government spent Rs 21,631 crore annually, our coalition government has allocated Rs 34,000 crore.' 'For the NDA, welfare and development are two eyes. We are generating wealth, increasing income, and investing it back into development and welfare. Many questioned how a state in ruins could be revived. I made it clear: tough times are not for backing down,' said the CM. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Naidu govt approves 10-hr workdays, night shifts for women in bid to attract more industry, investment

Save Kaleshwaram scheme and act against corruption
Save Kaleshwaram scheme and act against corruption

New Indian Express

time2 hours ago

  • New Indian Express

Save Kaleshwaram scheme and act against corruption

It's indeed a complex project comprising three barrages at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla, 15 reservoirs, 21 pump houses and 1,531 km of gravity canals. The idea is to lift 240 thousand million cubic feet of Godavari water in all during the 120 days of flood season every year. It sounds like a boon for Telangana, which had always been deprived of adequate water for its farmers. The catch, though, is the power requirement of 9,000 MW once the project is operationalised, which translates to an estimated electricity bill of Rs 10,000 crore, or Rs 37,882 per acre. Several experts and opposition parties had objected to it, arguing that it was unviable and there were other economically feasible ways to achieve the stated objectives. But nobody had anticipated the project would run into a bigger hurdle: the structural damage to the Medigadda barrage and others caused by the floods of 2022 and 2023. Now, the question before everyone is whether KLIS has turned into a white elephant. The National Dam Safety Authority recommended that a rehabilitation design be drafted for the barrages, but also termed the damage to Medigadda Block 7 irreversible and warned against movement of structures. There were allegations of corruption, too, hanging over KLIS and the Congress government constituted a commission headed by Justice P C Ghose last year to probe alleged irregularities. It hit the headlines recently when KCR deposed before it. A parallel vigilance probe has called for action against 57 engineers. It is inevitable that politics will play out over the charges, as will court cases. But the main task of the government should be to salvage the project. This cannot be achieved without coordination with the Centre. Action must also be taken against those found guilty of corruption.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store