Latest news with #AnnadataSukheebhava
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lokesh vows to transform AP with ‘double engine' governance
1 2 3 4 Guntur: Urging the youth to follow Mahatma Gandhi's advice — "Be the change you wish to see in the world" — IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh said the state govt, under the leadership and vision of chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, is working with the same spirit and commitment to transform Andhra Pradesh into a developed state. Lokesh hoisted the Tricolour at the police parade grounds to mark the 79th Independence Day celebrations on Friday, and took the guard of honour. Addressing the gathering, he said Andhra Pradesh witnessed "dark days" from 2019 to 2024. "The previous govt accumulated ₹10 lakh crore in debt, pushing the state back by 30 years. Development lost its track during their regime. People created history with a 94% strike rate in 2024, giving 164 seats to the NDA, breaking all records and establishing a people's govt," he said. With chief minister Naidu's vision being a constant guiding force in taking up revolutionary decisions, the double-engine govt has guided the state from darkness to light, Lokesh said. "The Centre has provided funds for the construction of Amaravati as the capital and for Polavaram project. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support, the govt was also able to save Vizag Steel Plant and establish the railway zone in Visakhapatnam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find your car's value online in minutes. Spinny Click Here Undo Support has also been extended for Rayalaseema industrial corridor. Our slogan is one-state, one-capital, with decentralised development," he added. He said the 'Super Six' promises made by the chief minister have become a "super hit," as they were implemented within a year of coming to power. "The govt increased pensions to Rs 4,000, Rs 6,000 for the differently-abled, and Rs 15,000 for bedridden beneficiaries. Rs 7,000 was disbursed to farmers in the first phase under Annadata Sukheebhava scheme. Additionally, the govt has provided two crore free gas cylinders to women under the Deepam scheme and launched free travel for women on APSRTC buses under Stree Shakti scheme," Lokesh said. He highlighted the launch of 'Thalli ki Vandanam' scheme, which provides Rs 15,000 to mothers of each schoolgoing child. A total of Rs 10,091 crore has been disbursed to 67.27 lakh children under the scheme, he said. He pointed out that while the previous govt failed to fill even a single teacher post, the NDA govt has filled 16,347 posts through a mega DSC. "We aim to create 20 lakh jobs and have already secured agreements for Rs 9.35 lakh crore in investments, creating 8.5 lakh jobs through companies like ArcelorMittal, NTPC, BPCL, TCS, Cognizant, Sattva, ANSR, LG Electronics, and Renew," Lokesh said. He added that the govt has revamped the curriculum from KG to PG and introduced semester-wise books to reduce the burden on students. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tenant farmers in distress in Andhra Pradesh, says former minister Karumuri
Vijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has failed tenant farmers, leaving them in distress with only 15 days remaining before the Kharif season, said former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao . Speaking to media on Wednesday, Karumuri said that over 32 lakhs of tenant farmers, comprising 70-80% of the agricultural workforce, are grappling with severe neglect, as the government has scrapped tenant farmer cards , blocking access to critical support like crop loans, insurance, and compensation. This policy reversal has forced farmers to borrow at exorbitant interest rates of 3-5% from private lenders, pushing them into a debt trap. "Naidu's failure to support tenant farmers is deplorable. While he focuses on Amaravati, farmers are left to suffer," he said that tenant farmers received unprecedented support. Between 2019 and 2024, 25.94 lakh farmers were issued tenant cards during previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, enabling access to Rs. 8,345 crore in crop loans for 6.78 lakh farmers, Rs. 751.42 crore in investment assistance for 5.57 lakh SC, ST, BC, and minority farmers, Rs. 731.08 crore in crop insurance for 3.55 lakh farmers, and Rs. 253.56 crore in crop loss compensation for 2.42 lakh farmers. The YSRCP also ensured the procurement of damaged crops, including every grain of rain-soaked paddy, and supported tobacco farmers with Rs. 500 crore through Markfed to stabilize prices. In contrast, the current govt has failed to issue tenant cards, stalled the Crop Cultivator Rights Cards (CCRC) process, and ignored the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme, leaving farmers without investment plight of tobacco farmers is particularly dire. Prices have crashed from Rs. 18,000 per quintal under YSRCP to below Rs. 10,000, with private companies exploiting farmers by rejecting produce on quality grounds after promising procurement. He said that in one district, 80,000 acres of Burley tobacco was cultivated with an investments of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre, yet farmers face losses due to poor yields and low prices. Karumuri highlighted the government's inaction, noting, "Tobacco farmers are on the brink of suicide, yet Naidu remains silent." He urged the govt to procure tobacco through the Tobacco Board and called on deputy mhief minister Pawan Kalyan to negotiate with the central govt for relief. He said that the the govt is misusing public funds on special flights for leaders like Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Nara Lokesh, while neglecting farmers' welfare. Karumuri reaffirmed YSRCP's commitment to fight for tenant and tobacco farmers, stating, "We will stand with farmers and agitate until justice is delivered." With the Kharif season approaching, Rao demanded immediate issuance of tenant cards, restoration of support schemes, and procurement of tobacco at fair prices.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Andhra govt 'failed' tenant farmers, alleges YSRCP leader
Amaravati, YSRCP leader K Nageswara Rao on Wednesday accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of "abandoning" tenant farmers ahead of the Kharif season. The former minister stated that over 32 lakh tenant farmers, nearly 80 per cent of Andhra's agricultural workforce, are allegedly suffering due to the cancellation of tenant cards and the withdrawal of vital support. "Naidu's focus is on Amaravati, not on farmers," said Rao in a release, claiming that tenant farmers now rely on private loans with up to five per cent interest, plunging deeper into debt. During the tenure of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, 26 lakh farmers received tenant cards, and over ₹8,300 crore in crop loans were extended, benefiting seven lakh tenant farmers, said Rao. Additionally, over ₹752 crore was provided as investment support to Scheduled Castes , Scheduled Tribes , Backward Classes , and minority farmers, while insurance and compensation schemes protected lakhs of farmers, he asserted. The former YSRCP government also procured damaged crops, bought rain-soaked paddy, and stabilized tobacco prices with ₹500 crore through Markfed, said Rao in the release. A P Markfed , is a federation of Marketing Cooperative Societies in the district with the main object of helping the farmers to secure better price for their produce by taking care of their market needs and providing agricultural inputs. Now, the Crop Cultivator Rights Card process has allegedly been stalled, the Annadata Sukheebhava scheme has been ignored, and farmers lack investment aid, facing mounting losses as the Kharif season nears, Rao alleged. He also claimed that tobacco prices have crashed, with companies rejecting produce, while farmers face losses on 80,000 acres of Burley tobacco. Rao urged immediate procurement through the Tobacco Board and called on Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan to seek the Centre's help for relief to distressed farmers.
