Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that the Polavaram project would be completed and dedicated to the nation by 2027 before the Godavari Pushkaram. The project would prevent scarcity of water in the Godavari districts, he said. The government would complete the stalled Chinthalapudi lift irrigation scheme and supply water to lowland areas through the Polavaram right canal.
Andhra Pradesh issues the highest number of social pensions in the country, said the Chief Minister. Explaining further, he added that his government spent Rs 1.65 lakh crores on pensions in the last five years and distributed Rs 50 thousand crores in the past 18 months. The CM attended the NTR Bharosa social pension distribution programme at Gopinathapatnam of Ungutur mandal in the Eluru district. He went to the house of Gudla Nagalakshmi, suffering from a kidney problem, and gave her a pension of Rs 10,000 before meeting the public at the Nallamadu platform.
Naidu made a plea to farmers to diversify their crops. He mentioned that oil palm, which was introduced in 1984, had now become remunerative. He asked farmers to follow expert advice, adopt modern techniques, and use drones to cut down costs. On the 3rd of this month, the government will guide farmers in every constituency on five principles for profitable cultivation. He said the government will address issues relating to Kolleru and support farmers in the region.
He explained the state's plan to provide at least one entrepreneur or one employment opportunity to every family, as announced by the Chief Minister. Job fairs are being conducted in every constituency. He said the government aims to create 20 lakh jobs by 2029. At the Visakhapatnam CII conference, companies proposed investments worth Rs. 13.25 lakh crore and the government approved Rs. 8 lakh crore. These industries are expected to generate millions of jobs. He added that coastal districts, including Eluru, have potential for aquaculture and food processing.
Naidu informed that the government covers Rs. 850 crore to supply electricity to aqua farmers at Rs. 1.50 per unit. He said the first phase of Amaravati will be completed by 2028 and the capital will be developed as a hub for job creation.
He blamed the previous YSRCP government for not conducting a single review on the control of marijuana and opined that some women had fallen into the trap of drugs due to the inaction of that government. The government was striving to protect the dignity of women and to empower them, he added.
Naidu said his government repaired road potholes that were left unattended during the YSRCP period. Roads damaged by recent rains will be repaired by January. He announced the new Sanjeevani project to provide high-quality medical treatment at people’s doorsteps. He recalled earlier efforts to spread awareness about AIDS, stating that Andhra Pradesh was now one of the lowest in the case rate in the country.
Chief Minister who visited a photo exhibition of products arranged by agriculture, horticulture and fisheries departments and Dwakra groups was garlanded with rice husk wreaths by farmers from Dendulur. He asked them why different rice crops are still cultivated instead of alternative crops. District Agriculture Officer Habib Basha replied that farmers are cultivating high-yielding varieties of rice and intercrops like maize and millet. Naidu advised them to promote better varieties of crops that serve the interest of farmers.
After the public meeting, the Chief Minister met party workers in Gollagudem. He instructed them to take government programs to the people. About a thousand workers took individual photos with him, an event they described as memorable.
Nallamadu meeting: Village Secretariat Horticulture Secretary Prem Kumar presented the crop data. Naidu, however, noticed some wrong figures and pointed out the inaccuracies. How could the secretary present data without knowing even the basic information, he asked. He directed the District Collector, Vetri Selvi, to see that the village records were accurate and coordination improved. Integrated Farming System The Chief Minister went round the various exhibitions in Nallamadu and was briefed on the integrated farming system followed by a young farmer of Vellamilli village, Rajendra Prasad. The farmer apprised the CM about rice, fish, and vegetables cultivation on one acre. When the latter asked if the same system could be replicated on ten acres, the former replied in the affirmative.
