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Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Welfare of poor at the core of my mission, avers Naidu
Cheyyeru (Konaseema District): Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has affirmed that the coalition government is deeply committed to the welfare and uplift of the poor, with improving the standard of living of underprivileged citizens at the core of his mission. 'There is no greater satisfaction than serving the poor,' he said, during a public address at a pension distribution programme held on Saturday in Cheyyeru village of Katrenikona mandal, Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema district. Recalling the legacy of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder NT Rama Rao, Naidu said, "NTR initiated the pension scheme for the poor, and the present coalition government has enhanced it significantly, providing Rs 4,000 per beneficiary now." Declaring the coalition as a 'government for the poor,' the Chief Minister listed out the range of welfare measures under way, including the Mega DSC recruitment, free distribution of three cooking gas cylinders annually, and Anna Canteens offering meals at just Rs 5. 'The goal is to ensure no poor person sleeps hungry,' he said, while urging MLAs, MPs, and local representatives to engage closely with villages and participate in pension distribution to better understand the public's needs. Naidu announced that in its first year, the coalition government disbursed Rs 34,000 crore towards pensions alone. He promised that if conditions permit, pension amounts would be further increased. Criticizing the previous YSRCP government, he said widow pensions were neglected, whereas this administration resumed pensions for 71,380 beneficiaries immediately upon taking office. He also introduced an automatic transfer mechanism for pensions to widows in the event of a spouse's death. The Chief Minister noted that over 64 lakh people in the state received pensions akin to employees on the first day of every month. The southern state gave welfare pensions more in terms of value and volume than richer states such as Maharashtra and Telangana. Compared with wealthier states, he noted that Maharashtra and Telangana provide only Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 respectively, while Andhra Pradesh leads with Rs 4,000. He declared that pensions were distributed a day in advance this month and even delivered at workplaces for MGNREGA daily wage earners. The Chief Minister said that five lakh people in the state were engaged in work-from-home jobs and noted that Rs 1,200 crore had been allocated for road repairs. Currently, 203 Anna Canteens were operational across the state. He mandated 10,000 solar connections per constituency and warned MLAs of the political consequences of non-compliance. Referring to the Deepam-2 scheme, under which three free cooking gas cylinders are offered to eligible beneficiaries, the CM noted that he would deposit money into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries once in four months to make it easy to avail the scheme. Likewise, Naidu called on SC and ST communities to avail solar power scheme (PM Surya Ghar) to generate power on their rooftops and stand a chance of avoiding electricity bills completely, along with the possibility of selling excess power to the grid. Under this scheme, the TDP supremo highlighted that SC and ST communities will get 100 per cent subsidy, BCs Rs 98,000 subsidy for 3 kw solar power system and Other Castes (OCs) Rs 78,000 subsidy. 'Every mother will receive 'Thalliki Vandhanam' funds for each child,' he said. The Chief Minister further announced that the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme would be launched in June, followed by a free bus travel scheme for women starting on August 15. He called on all the poor to stand with the government and sustain this for their bright future. Within two months, all government services would be accessible via WhatsApp Governance, he added. Chandrababu Naidu recalled the 1996 cyclone in Konaseema and recalled his involvement in relief efforts. He reiterated his government's commitment to delivering social justice. He criticised political actors for vandalising Ambedkar statues and alleged that such divisive politics had pushed Konaseema behind Anantapur in terms of development. Referring to Konaseema district, Naidu advised the local farmers to incorporate inter-cropping of cocoa or fodder grass in their 90,000 acres of coconut orchards to increase their income. Moreover, Naidu said he wants to be the eldest son of every family in the state, and work towards creating wealth in Andhra Pradesh. He announced that a new welfare calendar would be released soon. The CM also promised to implement 'Annadata Sukhibhava' (Rs 20,000 financial aid to farmers per annum) in three installments soon. Lastly, Naidu accused the previous government of using the door-to-door ration delivery system as a front for rice smuggling, claiming that mafia and criminal empires operated under the guise of politics. Before the public meeting, CM Naidu went to the MGNREGA work site in Cheyyeru and distributed pensions. Earlier, the CM was received warm welcome by minister Vasamsetty Subhash, district collector Mahesh Kumar, Joint Collector Nishanthi, MLAs Vegulla Jogeswara Rao, Nimmakayala Chinarajappa, Bandaru Satyananda Rao, Deva Varaprasad, Aithabattula Ananda Rao, Datla BucchiRaju, and others.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Need for smooth delivery of commodities from ration shops stressed
Puttaparthi: With the state government set to begin distribution of essential commodities through ration shops from June 1, Anantapur District Collector T.S. Chetan has directed officials to ensure a smooth supply through the district's 1,367 Fair Price (FP) shops. He issued the instructions during a meeting at the Collectorate, attended by Joint Collector Abhishek Kumar and Civil Supplies officials. The Collector emphasized strict adherence to government norms and warned that legal action would be taken against dealers violating regulations. He called for enhanced public awareness and feedback mechanisms for the Public Distribution System (PDS), especially regarding Deepam-2 and ration distribution. FP shop dealers were advised to hold meetings with gas agencies and delivery staff to spread accurate information. He announced that essential commodities will be distributed only through ration shops starting June and that all ration card holders must be informed. FP shops must operate from the 1st to 15th of each month between 8 AM–12 PM and 4 PM–8 PM. Shops should display photographs of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, working hours, shop number, price details, and stock availability. Joint Collector Abhishek Kumar instructed arrangements for doorstep delivery to senior citizens (65+) and the disabled. He stressed cleanliness, maintenance of photo logs, daily distribution records, proper use of ePOS machines, and issuing receipts to all cardholders. He noted that FP dealers may see increased income under upcoming government initiatives. Officials were directed to conduct awareness meetings with dealers at CS & DT offices to ensure strict implementation. District Supply Officer Vamsikrishna Reddy and other officials were present at the meeting.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt to credit amount in women beneficiaries' accounts in advance
Vijayawada: The State government decided to remit amount towards free gas cylinder into the accounts of women beneficiaries in advance as part of Deepam-2 scheme phase-3, which will commence from August. The State Cabinet led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu discussed at length over numerous complaints being received on the implementation of free gas cylinder scheme and finally decided to credit gas cylinder amount in advance into the accounts of women. Minister for Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar, revealing the decisions of the State Cabinet, said that due to logistic and transaction issues and numerous complaints received from women beneficiaries over the delay in crediting the amount into their accounts, the Cabinet decided to remit the amount in advance before the commencement of Phase 3 of Deepam scheme. He said under Deepam-2 scheme in first phase, 99,70,000 women were benefited through delivery of free gas cylinder and in Phase 2, which is in force from April-July, 70,000 women booked free gas cylinders so far. He said giving top priority for welfare of women, the coalition government decided to credit gas cylinder amount in advance into the accounts of women beneficiaries to improve their satisfaction levels. It may be noted that the State government launched Deepam-2 free LPG cylinder scheme on October 31, 2024, during Diwali, aligning with its commitment to women's welfare, household financial security, and environmental conservation. With an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 3,000 crore, the scheme targets 1.1 crore eligible households, providing three free cylinders every year. However, the free gas cylinder scheme has failed to satisfy the women beneficiaries, as they have to pay the cylinder amount and delay in reimbursement of the amount and due to snags in delivery mechanism. As the State government received numerous complaints from people over free gas cylinder scheme and delay in crediting money into their accounts, the State Cabinet led by the Chief Minister decided to credit the gas cylinder amount in advance into the accounts of women beneficiaries. A part of it, the government will credit the gas cylinder amount into the account of around one crore women beneficiaries accounts in advance in Phase 3 which will commence from August.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt set to pay subsidy for 3 gas cylinders in advance
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh govt has decided to pay the subsidy amount in advance, for three gas cylinders under the Deepam-2 scheme directly into the accounts of beneficiaries. The amount will be given to the beneficiaries at once, irrespective of booking the gas cylinders. Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to make changes to the existing system. The new scheme is expected to improve service delivery, customers' experience and minimise the role of gas agencies. Naidu also announced that he would begin 'surprise inspections' in the state any time after June 12. He reviewed the implementation of various govt schemes on Monday with chief secretary K Vijayanand and his office secretaries. From the analysis done based on the feedback data collected on the implementation of schemes and services being offered, the chief minister said that services in some of the departments still need improvement. As the NDA govt will soon complete one year in office, he asked the officials to achieve complete satisfaction from people regarding govt service delivery. Naidu stressed using data analytics in every department for improving performance. Noting that there was some improvement in some departments, he said that services in APSRTC still require quality enhancement. He observed that about 75% of people are satisfied with ration delivery and quality. He said that crediting the subsidy amount for three cylinders at once would address the issue agencies and delivery men demanding money. The chief minister pointed out dissatisfaction among passengers regarding drinking water facilities and toilet maintenance at bus stands, with 44% dissatisfied with drinking water and 55% with toilets. Regarding panchayat services, 60% confirmed that garbage collection from homes was taking place. Naidu noted improvements in garbage collection in rural areas compared to the past. He announced plans to entrust wet waste management to DWCRA women and initiate compost production in the coming days. Naidu further directed the officials to provide 500 services on WhatsApp through the 'Mana Mitra' scheme. He asked them to increase the current 325 services to 500 by June 12 to mark the completion of one year in office. He said as many as 4.5 million people successfully utilised services on Mana Mitra. The chief minister also reviewed the progress of the drone city being established at Orvakal.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to conduct surprise inspections after June 12 to get feedback on implementation of welfare schemes
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will start doing surprise inspections anytime after June 12 to obtain a first-hand account of the manner of implementation of welfare schemes and the delivery of citizen services. Announcing it in a review meeting on the Public Distribution System, Deepam - 2, APSRTC, and Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Department services at the Secretariat on Monday, Mr. Naidu said emphasis should be laid on ensuring cent per cent public satisfaction as the coalition government was completing one year soon, while pointing out that data analytics was bound to play a crucial role in obtaining public feedback and streamlining the service delivery. He noted that 325 services were being currently provided through Mana Mitra WhatsApp governance, and 4.50 million people have successfully availed of the services so far. It has been targeted to increase the number of those services to 500 by June 12. Drone City Steps were taken to render a variety of services through drones. A Drone City was in the process of being established in about 300 acres (116 acres in the first phase) at Orvakal in Kurnool district. So far, 38 companies have come forward to set up drone manufacturing and related industries there. The DPR was ready and the tender process is poised to be completed by June 12. Mr. Naidu said while some departments have improved their performance, APSRTC was to render better services to the people as they were below expectations. The corporation has to make up for the deficiencies in supplying drinking water at bus stands, and in maintaining cleanliness in the toilets. He stated that the subsidy on three LPG cylinders would be remitted into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in advance, and warned of stringent action against the collection of additional sums from the Deepam beneficiaries. The Chief Minister stated that garbage collection has improved in rural areas, and expressed confidence that assigning the responsibility of wet garbage management to the DWCRA groups would improve the situation significantly.
