Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced the relaunch of the Ambedkar Videsi Vidya Deevena scheme to support Dalit students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad. The announcement was made during the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr B R Ambedkar held at Ponnekallu in the Tadikonda Assembly segment.
Addressing the gathering at the Praja Vedika, the Chief Minister hailed Dr Ambedkar as a visionary who laid the foundation of Indian democracy and dedicated his life to eradicating caste discrimination. “Ambedkar belongs to everyone, not just one community. His ideals continue to inspire us all,” Naidu said.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to social justice, Naidu said that the scheme’s revival would help fulfil the dreams of underprivileged students. “We will facilitate foreign education for SC and ST students by reviving the Ambedkar Videsi Vidya Nidhi scheme,” he said. He explained that previously, financial assistance of up to Rs 15 lakh was given to SC and ST students and Rs 10 lakh to BC, EBC, Kapu and Minority students. Between 2014 and 2019, Rs 50 crore was spent on the education of 619 SC and 55 ST students, while a total of Rs 467 crore was spent on 7,000 students.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to establish more residential schools to ensure quality education for SC students, stressing that education is a key tool for empowerment.
Highlighting the government’s welfare agenda, Naidu said that over 21 lakh poor SC and ST families were receiving 200 units of free electricity per month. He encouraged people to install solar panels on their rooftops to not only benefit from the free power but also sell surplus electricity back to the government at Rs 2.09 per unit, thereby generating additional income.
He further announced an additional Rs 50,000 in housing aid for SC and ST beneficiaries, with the initiative expected to cost the state exchequer Rs 780 crore.
“The progress of society lies in uplifting the downtrodden. A true leader is one who is always ready to serve the people,” he said.
Naidu also criticised the previous YSRCP-led government, accusing it of deliberately stalling the development of Amaravati. He pledged to transform Amaravati into one of the world’s best cities, noting that prestigious institutions such as SRM and VIT had already established campuses there, with more institutions expected to follow, turning the city into a hub for quality education.
Recalling the TDP’s history of standing against caste discrimination, Naidu cited initiatives such as the Mundadugu programme launched in 2002 and the setting up of study centres for SC/ST students. He also highlighted the TDP’s efforts in politically empowering Dalits by appointing G M C Balayogi as Lok Sabha Speaker and Pratibha Bharathi as Assembly Speaker.
He reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, citing schemes such as Deepam-2, which provides three free LPG cylinders annually, and the Super Six initiative aimed at holistic welfare. “We have delivered beyond expectations in the past 10 months,” he said.
The Chief Minister also interacted virtually with beneficiaries of the Ambedkar Videsi Vidya Nidhi scheme who had studied abroad, stating that their success was a reflection of the state’s commitment to inclusive development.
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