VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged MLAs to set aside their personal agendas, and strive collectively for the development of the State.
Speaking during a discussion on the implementation of the Super Six, and other NDA poll promises in the State Assembly on Saturday, Naidu emphasised the importance of unity under the ‘double-engine government’ to achieve rapid economic growth.
“The double-engine government, with the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has enabled us to implement numerous development programmes in just 15 months. This is a team effort, and any misstep by an individual could harm the State. Hence, MLAs must avoid personal agendas as they hinder our goal of developing the State on all fronts,” Naidu said, during a PowerPoint presentation.
Highlighting welfare initiatives, he announced the launch of the Auto Drivers Sevalo scheme on October 4. Under the scheme, Rs 15,000 per annum will be provided to each auto and cab driver with own vehicle. As many as 2,90,234 drivers are eligible for the scheme, and it is expected to cost Rs 435 crore per annum, he said.
Naidu detailed the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, under which Rs 2,745 crore is being distributed to 63.50 lakh beneficiaries per month, with 59% being women. The State spends Rs 32,143 crore per annum on social security pensions, surpassing Telangana (Rs 8,179 crore) and Kerala (Rs 7,295 crore).
He criticised the previous regime for delaying pensions before polls, noting that the current dispensation ensures 97% distribution of pensions on the first day itself.
The Stree Shakti scheme has facilitated 8.86 crore free bus trips for women so far, boosting RTC occupancy ratio, Naidu said.
‘Will create 1 Lakh women entrepreneurs’
The government has allocated Rs 2,963 crore per annum for implementing the scheme. About 85% of beneficiaries have expressed their satisfaction over the free bus travel scheme.
The Talliki Vandanam scheme has supported 66.57 lakh students, with Rs 10,090.74 crore spent, and applications are still being accepted from eligible families. Under the Deepam 2.0 scheme, 2.66 crore free gas cylinders have been distributed, costing Rs 1,718 crore, he highlighted.
Naidu also outlined efforts to empower women through DWCRA groups, aiming to create one lakh women entrepreneurs. He called upon MLAs to identify, and train 1,000 women per constituency for industrial roles. Under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, Rs 3,174 crore has been disbursed to 46.86 lakh farmers. Additional support includes drip irrigation aid for 1.34 lakh farmers, and compensation for crop loss and lack of support price such as Rs 50,000 per hectare for onion farmers, he elaborated.
The government has created 4,71,574 jobs, prioritising youth empowerment through skill development. Anna Canteens have been revived, serving 5.72 crore meals with Rs 104 crore subsidy. A universal health policy offers free medical treatment up to Rs 25 lakh for 1.63 crore poor citizens, while fishermen receive Rs 20,000 during the annual fishing ban period. Housing initiatives aim to deliver 6.15 lakh houses by June 2026.
Naidu condemned the previous government’s neglect of temples, citing incidents like the desecration at Ramatheertham and Antarvedi. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free sand policy, a robust excise policy, and nine hours of free power supply to agriculture.