Naidu Outlines Development Agenda, Defends Amaravati, Attacks YSRC
“They allowed ganja cultivation to expand, which the present government has curbed through the Eagle Task Force.”
Nellore:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday outlined the alliance government's agenda on climate resilience, industrial development, welfare and governance while launching a political attack on the YSRC at a Praja Vedika meeting.
The meeting held at Punnapuvaripalem in Gudur constituency was addressed by Naidu after he participated in the Pedala Sevalo programme.
The CM said the impact of the El Niño phenomenon and global warming had reduced rainfall, while Europe was experiencing severe heat wave conditions similar to what happened in parts of Andhra Pradesh.
“Luckily for us, AP conserved water by filling reservoirs last year and we continue to maintain around 65 per cent storage despite poor inflows,” he said.
Stressing the need for long-term water security, he said the government was implementing groundwater recharge programmes, planning river-linking projects and promoting ethanol production through crops such as maize to reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Naidu said the government was focused on attracting investments. “Industries take years to establish but can relocate quickly. The previous YSRC government had driven industries away but we brought Hero MotoCorp to Andhra Pradesh. The foundation stone for the Rayalaseema Steel Plant in Kadapa would be laid on Thursday and production would commence by 2028,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government planned to expand mobile connectivity across the state and was strengthening digital governance through platforms, including WhatsApp Governance.
Highlighting welfare measures, Naidu said the government was providing social security pensions to 62.2 lakh beneficiaries under 28 categories every month at a cost of Rs 2,712 crore. The total pension disbursement under the present government had reached Rs 68,598 crore, he said, and added that the P4 (adoption) programme was improving the living standards of poor families.
He said the government had fulfilled its promise by restoring Gudur, Sydapuram and Kaluvoya mandals to Nellore district after reversing what he described as the previous government's "unscientific" district reorganisation.
Launching a political attack on the YSRC, Naidu alleged that the party had spread fake news, encouraged social divisions and attempted to obstruct the development of Amaravati. He also alleged that the previous government had created uncertainty through its three-capital proposal, affected the state's investment climate.
“They allowed ganja cultivation to expand, which the present government has curbed through the Eagle Task Force.”
Referring to recent controversies, the CM said prompt action had been taken in the Vijayawada missing youth case by suspending the concerned Circle Inspector. He also condemned abusive social media posts targeting deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan's family and derogatory remarks against home minister Vangalapudi Anitha.
Naidu urged the people to reject what he described as "rowdy politics" and criminalisation of public life and appealed to voters to support the three-party alliance for continued development and stable governance.