Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar to Resolve Central Schemes’ Issues in AP

Vijayawada: Union Rural Development minister of state Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar on Saturday assured to resolve at the earliest all issues related to implementation of Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), PM Surya Ghar Yojana and AP’s tourism development projects.

“We will ensure timely benefits to all eligible citizens of Andhra Pradesh,” Dr. Chandrasekhar underlined while participating in a review meeting along with Guntur district collector S. Nagalakshmi and Guntur (East) MLA Mohammad Naseer Ahmad on Saturday. The meeting focused on strengthening PMJVK and Surya Ghar programmes, resolving bottlenecks in their implementation, and identifying initiatives to boost tourism in Guntur district.

Speaking to media later, the union minister underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conceptualised both the PMJVK and Surya Ghar initiatives. PMJVK is aimed at uplifting minority communities, he said pointing out that Guntur is eligible for the scheme due to its sizeable minority population.

Dr. Chandrasekhar disclosed that there is a proposal to set up a Minority Residential School on a seven-acre site, expanding Guntur Government Hospital using six acres of Bongaralabeedu Hospital land, establishing a Skill Development Centre for motor vehicle technicians on a one-acre site at Autonagar, and creating a multipurpose skill centre on Anjuman land. He informed that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these works were being prepared in phases.

The Union minister conceded that while 1.16 lakh consumers in Guntur parliamentary constituency have registered themselves under the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme, only about 3,600 households have benefited so far due to issues related to bank loans, technical glitches in the portal, and lack of coordination between officials and beneficiaries. “We are committed to overcoming these hurdles to increase the reach of the programme,” he stated.

Turning to tourism promotion, Dr. Chandrasekhar said proposals are being sent to the centre for funds to develop NTR Manasa Sarovaram, Nandanavanam at Perecharla, Undavalli caves and Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary as major tourist attractions.

Those present at the meeting included DRO N.S.K. Khajavali and officials of electricity and minority welfare departments.