He encouraged increasing greenery across the state and proposed dedicating the third Saturday of each month to cleanliness drives, involving both citizens and government employees.
Kurnool: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that the much-awaited free bus travel scheme for women across Andhra Pradesh will commence on August 15.
Participating in the Swarnandhra–Swachhandhra programme in Kurnool city on Saturday, the AP CM dealt with several important subjects.
As part of the state’s vision for sustainable development, Chandrababu Naidu said 75 waste-to-energy plants will be established across Andhra Pradesh to convert waste into useful resources. He revealed that a policy on circular economy will be introduced within two months to promote sustainable practices.
Reaffirming his commitment to sanitation, the Chief Minister said all 15,595 villages in the state would be declared ODF+ (Open Defecation Free Plus) by March next year. He noted that 6,258 villages have already achieved this status. Work is progressing in the remaining areas.
On welfare initiatives, he said the Deepam gas subsidy scheme will be restructured. Instead of traditional subsidies, the government will directly deposit the subsidy amount into beneficiaries' accounts once the LPG cylinder is delivered to them.
Chandrababu Naidu announced that 16,500 teacher posts will be filled through a mega DSC recruitment drive. Thalliki Vandanam support scheme will be implemented with reopening of schools during the next academic year.
He outlined ambitious plans for development of the Rayalaseema region. He said the area will be developed as a hub for green energy, industrial growth, and sustainable horticulture. The government aims to expand horticulture coverage from the current 18 lakh hectares to 50 lakh hectares over the next five years.
The CM said Rayalaseema would also emerge as a green energy hub with projects in solar, wind, and pumped storage.
Highlighting the industrial potential of Orvakal, he said it is rapidly transforming into a major industrial hub, especially in drone manufacturing, providing significant employment opportunities to youth. He disclosed that the government is working towards laying a railway line to Orvakal to support its industrial expansion.
Chandrababu Naidu assured that drinking water issues in 16 divisions of Kurnool city under the Panyam Assembly constituency will be resolved soon.
He announced plans to link Polavaram project with Banakacherla to ensure water supply to every acre of farmland in the region. He emphasised that Rayalaseema farmers will benefit immensely from these water and irrigation plans.
On agricultural marketing, the Chief Minister pointed out that there are currently 125 Rythu Bazaars across the state. Criticising the previous government for neglecting development of Rythu Bazaars, he promised to establish at least one Rythu Bazaar in each of the 175 assembly constituencies. He recalled launching Rythu Bazaars in 1999 and introducing mobile markets for the convenience of farmers.
Chandrababu Naidu stated that employees will no longer need to work on third Saturdays. He encouraged them to instead participate in cleanliness drives in their surroundings.
Citing an anecdote of Buddha and his disciple to underline the importance of reusing resources, the CM said of the 85 lakh metric tonnes of accumulated waste in the state, 55 lakh metric tonnes has been processed. He mentioned that the waste management centres are currently operating in Rajamahendravaram, Vijayawada, Nellore and Kadapa.
