Rs 9,225.28 cr for SC development: Nagarjuna

PNS|Vijayawada

The State government has allocated Rs 9,225.28 crore for the development of SCs this year, said Social Welfare Minister Merugu Nagarjuna. He stated that the YSRC government, under the leadership of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was committed to the welfare of Scheduled Castes.

Minister Nagarjuna attended the two-day regional conference of nine States and Union Territories, organised by the Union government’s Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, in Mysuru, Karnataka, on Wednesday. The Minister explained the steps being taken for the development of SCs in the State. He said that his government was giving utmost priority to the development of SCs, with the aim of achieving the aspirations of Dr BR Ambedkar.

The Minister said that in 2023-24, Rs 21.55 crore would be provided to 60 SC students under the Jagananna Videshi Vidya Deevena scheme, and Rs 211.63 crore under the YSR Kalyanamastu scheme.

He further mentioned that through non-DBT, 56.32 beneficiaries had been provided Rs 28,958.30 crore under YSR Aarogyasri, Jagananna Gorumudda, Jagananna Todu, YSR Sampurna Poshana, YSR Vidya Kanuka, Jagananna Illu, YSR Kanti Velugu and other schemes.

Minister Nagarjuna said that special schemes were being implemented for the educational development of SC communities. Special Gurukuls and NEET and JEE coaching centres were being set up, besides sports schools. A 125-foot-tall statue of BR Ambedkar was being erected in Vijayawada at a cost of Rs 268.46 crore.

He said that Rs 49,710.17 crores had been spent during the period from June 2019 to December 2022 as part of the SC sub plan. Rs 7,950.33 crore was spent for 11.82 lakh SC pensioners through YSR pension kanuka as part of Navaratnalu. Rs 2,715.35 crore was spent for 26.56 lakh mothers through the Amma Vodi scheme. Rs 2,567.63 crore was given to 33.50 lakh beneficiaries under YSR Asara scheme, Rs 3,356.41 crore to 17.89 lakh people under YSR Cheyutha scheme and Rs 243.72 crore to 2.44 lakh people under YSR Vahana Mitra scheme.

In addition, a sum of Rs 7.95 crore was distributed to 3.39 lakh people under Jagananna Todu scheme, Rs 43.98 crore to 48,000 people under Jagananna Chedodu scheme, Rs 5.81 crore to 2,437 people under YSR Netanna Nestham scheme, and Rs 3.28 crore to 3,283 people under Matsyakara Bharosa scheme. He said that Rs 668.995 crore had been provided to 3.89 lakh students under Jagananna Vasati Deevena and Rs 1,755.35 crore to 4.44 lakh students under the Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme.

Ministers and officials from the States of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha along with Union Territories Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman Nicobar Islands are participating in the regional conference.