VIJAYAWADA: The TDP-led NDA, which not only achieved a 93% strike rate in the 2024 elections but also saw alliance candidates winning by huge margins against the YSRCP, is set to complete its first year in office on June 12, following the formation of the coalition government.
Going by the mandate, it is clear that the people had high expectations from the new government. But has it succeeded in fulfilling those aspirations?
Given the precarious financial situation the coalition inherited at the outset, it must be acknowledged that fulfilling all promises within a year was no easy task. However, the government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, did manage to increase pensions from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 in its first month in office, in addition to paying Rs 3,000 in arrears to each beneficiary.
Similarly, under Deepam-2 scheme, the government began delivering three free LPG cylinders annually to women. Alongside the re-establishment of Anna Canteens to feed the poor, financial aid to fishermen during the fishing ban period was enhanced to Rs 20,000 from Rs 10,000 under the ‘Mathsyakara Bharosa’ scheme.
The State government has also issued orders for the implementation of another flagship scheme, ‘Talliki Vandanam,’ under which Rs 15,000 will be credited to the accounts of mothers of school-going children starting June 12, 2025.
Additionally, the State government has announced that free bus travel scheme for the women will also be implement from August 15 onwards.
‘People recognised NDA govt’s sincere efforts in delivering welfare schemes’
Beyond welfare schemes, the government is actively working on rebuilding Amaravati, expediting the Polavaram project, attracting investments, initiating infrastructure development, restoring Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and launching several technological and sectoral initiatives. As promised, it has also issued a DSC notification to recruit 16,347 teachers and is taking steps toward its commitment to create 20 lakh jobs during its five-year tenure.
As a key ally in the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, the State government has succeeded in garnering Union government support, a fact often acknowledged by the Chief Minister, who remarked that the Centre “provided oxygen and brought the State out of the ventilator.”
Though the government had announced the implementation of the ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ scheme-which promises Rs 20,000 per year to farmers, including Rs 6,000 in Central assistance-in June, the lack of a clear roadmap for other promises such as the Rs 3,000 monthly allowance to unemployed youth and Rs 1,500 per month to women is somewhat disappointing.
“In fact, people have recognised the NDA government’s sincere efforts in delivering welfare schemes and prioritising development. However, our internal surveys suggest that there is dissatisfaction among the public, especially regarding the performance and high-handedness of some MLAs. Having completed just one year in office, this is a matter of concern. The Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has warned that he is prepared to part ways with leaders who damage the reputation of the party and the government. Naidu will soon hold one-on-one meetings with the MLAs, share the feedback he has received from various sources, and issue a stern warning,” a senior TDP leader told TNIE.