NELLORE: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reiterated that Amaravati will remain the sole capital of the state, declaring that “no one can move it even an inch.”
Addressing a public meeting during the ‘Pedala Sevalo’ programme organised at Vinjamuru in Nellore district, Chief Minister expressed happiness over Lok Sabha’s approving the bill granting legal status to Amaravati as the capital.
He said the people’s capital symbolises the self-respect of the Telugu people and that the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha has permanently ended uncertainty over its future.
He reiterated that Amaravati would be developed into a world-class city.
The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with all parties that supported the bill.
He criticised previous rulers for “dividing the state” with a three-capital proposal and alleged they failed to attend Assembly sessions when a resolution on Amaravati’s legal status was introduced.
Chandrababu Naidu has accused them of ridiculing the capital region by calling it barren and flood-prone.
Highlighting the government’s welfare initiatives, Naidu said the state has been spending Rs 2,750 crore every month on pensions under the Peda Sevalo programme. He noted that Andhra Pradesh provides higher pensions compared to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister said schemes like Thalliki Vandanam will continue, with financial assistance to mothers to be deposited again in June.
Under Deepam 2.0, three free LPG cylinders are being provided annually, and steps are underway to supply piped gas to households with a subsidy of Rs 2,400 per year.
He also announced that the Centre has advanced Rs 1,300 crore for the Polavaram project, which is targeted for dedication to the nation by the time of the Godavari Pushkarams. He added that the P4 programme is being implemented to improve the living standards of the poor, with organisations like the Adani Trust coming forward to adopt 25,000 families.
He said Nellore district has been witnessing rapid industrial growth, with projects like Ramayapatnam port, Dugarajapatnam shipbuilding centre, defence manufacturing units, and solar panel units in IFFCO SEZ expected to generate employment for nearly 80,000 people.
Responding to criticism over Juvvaladinne fishing harbour, Naidu said the proposal was first sent to the Centre in 2018 and is now being executed for Rs 285 crore.
He accused some groups of indulging in “hit-and-run politics” by spreading misinformation.
The Chief Minister announced the rollout of a free electricity scheme for handloom workers. Around 93,000 handlooms will receive up to 200 units of free power, while 11,488 power looms will get up to 500 units, at a cost of Rs 153 crore.
He said the initiative would help weaver families save thousands of rupees annually. The government has also set up a Rs.5 crore thrift fund for weavers and is providing pensions from the age of 55. Five handloom clusters will be established under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
The Chief Minister distributed free power certificates to beneficiaries and said that 5.5 lakh housewarming ceremonies have been completed in the last 21 months, with another 4.5 lakh houses to be ready by December.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected agriculture stalls showcasing micro-irrigation and drone-based farming technologies and interacted with farmers.
District in-charge Minister NMD Farooq, MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, MLA Kakarla Suresh, District Collector Himanshu Shukla, and other public representatives and officials were present.