KADAPA: Yet another poll promise of the TDP-led NDA government -- free power to handloom and powerloom weavers -- will be fulfilled on August 7 to mark International Handloom Day.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced it while addressing the gathering at Praja Vedika in Jammalamadugu mandal of Kadapa district on Friday, meant for the disbursement of pensions.
Under the new welfare scheme, which was approved by the State Cabinet in March this year, 500 units of free power will be supplied to power loom operators, and 200 units to handloom weavers. The new free power scheme stands to benefit 50,000 families of handloom weavers, and 11,500 families of those dependent on powerlooms. The State will bear an additional burden of Rs 125 crore per year to implement it.
Naidu detailed the NTR Bharosa scheme, disbursing Rs 33,000 crore annually to 64 lakh beneficiaries, the highest in India. He announced 1.09 lakh new spouse pensions worth Rs 520 crore, and 1,08,499 widow pensions costing Rs 43.40 crore, delivered directly, including 14,703 hospitalised and 31,496 relocated beneficiaries. He emphasised prioritising pension distribution on first of every month, adjusting his schedule post-Singapore visit.
Kadapa Steel Plant to start production by ’29: CM
Cautioning people against misleading propaganda of the YSRCP, Naidu slammed YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, calling him a ‘serial fraudster’ for accumulating Rs 10 lakh crore in debt, and halting the Central schemes. He accused the media house owned by Jagan of spreading falsehood, including misreporting a murder case, and encouraging abusive rhetoric against TDP MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy, undermining public trust.
On development, Naidu announced Kadapa Steel Plant with Jindal investing Rs 4,500 crore for phase one, and Rs 11,850 crore for phase two, targeting production by 2029. Tourism development plans for Gandikota include Rs 80 crore from the Centre, and installation of a 100-foot Sri Krishna Devaraya statue.
The Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi, allocated Rs 3,890 crore in a year, will irrigate 6 lakh acres, and supply drinking water to 33 lakh people across four districts. Naidu contrasted the TDP government’s Rs 12,441 crore irrigation spending during 2014-19 with the YSRCP regime’s Rs 2,000 crore.
He announced Rs 20,000 annual aid per farmer under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, with Rs 5,000 from the State, and Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre, starting August 2. He restored 90% drip irrigation subsidies, and sanctioned Rs 30 crore for lift irrigation for 12 tanks, and municipal development in Jammala madugu.
Visiting beneficiaries’ homes in Goodemcheruvu village, Naidu handed over pensions, examined a handloom, and ordered immediate pension approval for stroke-affected V Muneendra. Arriving by an auto, Naidu reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Rayalaseema into a horti-hub.