VIJAYAWADA: TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan released the ‘Prajagalam Alliance Manifesto’ in the presence of BJP State in-charge Sidharth Nath Singh at the former CM’s residence in Undavalli on Tuesday.
The manifesto covered a wide range of issues targeting different sections. Besides the Super Six sops for farmers, women and youth, the parties vowed to implement the BC (Backward Class) Declaration, hike pensions to Rs 4,000 from the existing Rs 3,000, Rs 10,000 honorarium for volunteers, Rs 25 lakh health insurance to every family and to conduct a skill census.
Additionally, Naidu promised a better Pay Revision Commission and Interim Relief to government employees. He assured them that the Contributory Pension Scheme will be reviewed.
On the capital of the State, the manifesto declared that effective steps would be taken to resume development of Amaravati, which will ensure progress of Navya Andhra Pradesh. With special emphasis on Uttarandhra and Rayalaseema, it was announced that Visakhapatnam will be developed as the financial capital of the State and a High Court bench will be set up in Kurnool. Focus will be laid on industrialisation for the effective development of all the regions.
Abolishing the AP Land Titling Act and garbage tax, regulation of electricity charges, and reviewing house tax and free sand policy are some of the other key promises made in the joint manifesto. Besides promising to curb the flow of spurious liquor, the alliance announced that their government will allocate 10% of liquor shops to toddy tappers.
Under the ‘Shanmukha Vyooham’, JSP chief Pawan Kalyan announced six more promises and asserted that the alliance government will implement all guarantees specified in the manifesto with the support of the NDA government at the Centre. The leaders also promised to generate 20 lakh jobs in the next five years, claiming they know how to create wealth.
BC Declaration
Special Act to protect BCs
Rs 4,000 pension for BCs aged 50 and above
Rs 1.50 lakh crore to be spent through BC sub-plan in five years
Rs 10,000 crore BC self-employment scheme
Rs 5,000 crore for restoration of Aaradhana scheme
Capital Development
Amaravati to be the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh
Develop Visakhapatnam as financial capital
High Court Bench at Kurnool
Industrial hubs in Uttarandhra & Rayalaseema
YSRC distributed Rs 10 with one hand, looted Rs 100 from everyone: Naidu
Asked about the resources needed for fulfilling the promises in the manifesto, Naidu recalled that the financial condition of undivided Andhra Pradesh was not good when he took charge as chief minister in 1995. However, he added, by the time he stepped down, the financial condition of the State improved with creation of wealth.
Describing skill census as a groundbreaking project, the former chief minister explained, “While the caste census has been carried out in various States, the emphasis on skill census represents a fresh and progressive move towards enhanced productivity. The primary goal is to identify individuals with specific skills, enabling them to receive appropriate training for a more promising tomorrow. This well-thought-out strategy is geared towards boosting the efficiency of young people.”
Besides promising nine hours of uninterrupted power for agriculture and installation of solar pump sets for free, he said the NDA will integrate rooftop solar energy given by the Central government and ensure decentralisation of power generation.
“The future of the State hangs in the balance. In the form of elections, I have received another chance to put the State on the right track. I appeal to the voters to support the NDA for building a golden Andhra Pradesh and send this ‘psycho’ CM home,” Naidu said.
Stating that the entire Telugu community, which was once the most powerful force in the world, is now feeling sorry of the prevailing situation in the State, the TDP chief alleged, “Merely to loot the assets of the State, a whopping Rs 13 lakh crore debts were raised, thereby pushing the State into a deep crisis.”
Further, he said, “Insecurity, unrest, murders and suicides are widespread across the State and every family has a debt burden of at least Rs 8 lakh due to rising cost of living and massive tax burden. The ruling YSRC has distributed Rs 10 with one hand and looted Rs 100 from everyone with other.”
He regretted that the State stands third in the country in farmer suicides and second in atrocities against girls below the age of 18.
Education, youth and healthcare
To review KG to PG syllabus
Mega DSC, release of job calendar every year
Rs 10,000 honorarium for volunteers
Conduct a skill census
Rs 25 L health insurance to every family
Generic medical shops in every mandal
Free generic medicines for people suffering with non- communicable diseases like BP & diabetes
Infrastructure and Agriculture
Nine hours free power supply for agriculture
To set up price stabilisation fund
To extend welfare schemes to tenant farmers by providing ID cards to them
To complete Polavaram project and take up interlinking of rivers
Welfare of Muslims
Pension for Muslim minority from 50 years
Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 monthly honorarium for Imas and Mousans respectively
5,000 financial assistance/month for maintenance of Masjids
Rs 1 lakh financial assistance for Haj pilgrimage