PNS|Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer has said that welfare schemes are being provided at the doorstep of all the eligible beneficiaries and that the State government is inclusive and transparent under the umbrella of ‘Navaratnalu’ welfare schemes. He was addressing the 10th Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly as well as the State Legislative Council on Tuesday. This was his first speech to the joint Houses after taking charge as Governor of the State.
Governor Abdul Nazeer said that an 11.43 percent growth rate has been achieved every year and AP was at the forefront of economic development. He said that in the past four years, the government under the leadership of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was providing good governance.
The Governor spoke at length about the welfare schemes provided by the government including Direct Benefit Transfers to the beneficiaries, English medium education to poor children, the midday meal scheme where nutritious food was given to students, and the modernising of schools where a sum of Rs 3,669 crore was spent under the ‘Nadu Nedu’ scheme. “We have brought changes in the education sector so that the youth of the state can compete at the global level, financial assistance to 80 lakh children through Amma Vodi scheme, where Rs 19, 617.60 crore financial assistance to 44.49 lakh mothers was given.
He also highlighted that Digital learning was a key element in education reforms and students were given 5.20 lakh tabs worth Rs 690 crore,” he added.
The Governor said that it is a moment of pride that the government successfully organized the Global Investors Summit at Visakhapatnam on March 3 and 4. The international congregation has highlighted the best efforts of the government to attract investors. The phenomenal response of the investors from 25 countries and from 30 corporate giants as well as a host of others to invest in the State, In all, 378 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the Summit with a total commitment of Rs 13.42 lakh crores and generation of over 6 lakh jobs across 16 key sectors. A significant investment commitment of Rs. 9,57,112 crores with a potential employment generation of 1.80 lakh persons was in the renewable energy sector. The proactive policies have resulted in Andhra Pradesh securing 1st position consecutively for 3 years in the Ease of Doing Business rankings.
The government is planning to develop Andhra Pradesh as a logistic hub and gateway to Southeast Asia. The State is keen to leapfrog economic development by encouraging industries in the vicinity of ports and harbours. We have 6 operational ports and we are also developing 4 more ports at Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu, Kakinada, and Machilipatnam and also constructing nine fishing harbours across the State in two phases.
With an aim to create awareness among the public on various welfare schemes being implemented by the government, the government initiated Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabuthvam programme. Under this programme, MLAs and public representatives visit every household across the State in their respective jurisdiction.
The Governor said the government is committed to ensure the safety and security of women in the State. As a landmark initiative, Disha Bill has been brought out to take quick and stringent action against those involved in the crime against women.
He said with the impactful interventions and the good governance practices under implementation the government yielded commendable results. Inclusiveness and sustainability of the State’s progress will continue to be the top priorities of the government and will continue to strive hard to make the State more robust, and resilient and fulfil the aspirations of the people.
