Andhra Pradesh's CM Chandrababu Naidu Pledges Focus on Poor Welfare

Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh - In a public speech marking the state's liberation from what he termed 'a destructive regime,' Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized that the welfare of the economically disadvantaged is his government's top priority. He addressed a crowd at Chamavaram under the 'Pedala Sevalo' programme, highlighting several social and economic initiatives launched by his administration.

Enhancing Economic and Social Welfare

Naidu described June 4 as a historic day for Andhra Pradesh, symbolizing the state's transition to a more progressive governance model. He noted that the current coalition government has taken office with widespread public support following the ouster of an earlier administration.

Pension increases of ₹1,000 to ₹4,000 for the general population and up to ₹6,000 for those with disabilities. Health pensions have been enhanced up to ₹10,000–₹15,000. A total of ₹65,887 crore has been disbursed under the NTR Bharosa pension scheme since July 2024, translating into an annual outlay of nearly ₹32,000 crore.

Furthermore, ₹2,729 crore is being provided in pensions to 62.34 lakh beneficiaries this month alone. Additionally, ₹2.24 crore has been sanctioned for the addition of 5,606 new spouse pension beneficiaries. Naidu also mentioned several welfare schemes targeted at reducing poverty, such as Talliki Vandanam, Stree Shakti and Annadata Sukhibhava.

To further support the less privileged, Naidu announced free bus travel for people with disabilities and free electricity provisions for weavers and power loom workers. The Chief Minister's vision for a poverty-free society is reflected in these measures, which are designed to uplift communities through tangible benefits.

Economic Growth and Investment Attraction

On the economic front, Naidu reported that over ₹23 lakh crore worth of investments have been attracted by Andhra Pradesh in the last 23 months. He highlighted this as a key achievement aimed at generating approximately 23 lakh jobs to ensure local employment for the youth. With these investments, the state is expected to remain competitive and dynamic.

A major upcoming project involves the construction of an ₹80,000 crore green ammonia plant near Kakinada. Another notable development is the ArcelorMittal steel city in Anakapalli, along with a Google data centre planned for Visakhapatnam. The PM SETU programme will train 25,000 youth annually in skill development to ensure they are equipped for modern job markets.

Naidu also informed about the revival of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and fulfillment of long-standing demands such as a railway zone for this city.