Parthasarathy Sets 2029 AP Housing For All Eligible Poor
The present government has completed 3.2 lakh houses and plans to finish another 5.5 lakh by mid-2026
VIJAYAWADA: Information and public relations and housing minister Kolusu Parthasarathy on Tuesday said the Coalition government’s primary objective was to provide a permanent house to every eligible poor family in Andhra Pradesh by 2029. Addressing a Meet the Press programme at the Vijayawada Press Club, he said the government was working with a clear roadmap to make the State one of the best-performing in the country.
On housing, the minister said 18.5 lakh houses had been sanctioned so far. The present government has completed 3.2 lakh houses and plans to finish another 5.5 lakh by mid-2026. Additional financial support is being extended under TIDCO. He also announced a liberal media accreditation policy and said the government was positively inclined towards allotting house sites to eligible journalists.
Parthasarathy said skill development aligned with industry needs was a key priority, backed by 25 sector-specific policies. An escrow account system has been introduced to ensure timely release of incentives to investors. Through WhatsApp Governance, 700–800 public services are now accessible digitally, he added.
Launching a sharp attack on the previous regime, the minister said it had weakened institutions and pushed the State into severe financial stress. Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India report, he noted that Andhra Pradesh had incurred 32 per cent higher debt than other States through off-budget borrowings, while funds were diverted away from capital expenditure.
Despite financial constraints, Parthasarathy said the Coalition government had implemented key welfare measures. Nearly ₹50,000 crore was spent over 18 months on NTR Bharosa pensions. Under the Talliki Vandanam scheme, benefits are extended to all girl children in a family.
The government aims to generate 20 lakh jobs, with investments worth `8.29 lakh crore already grounded and memoranda of understanding valued at `13.5 lakh crore signed, which are expected to create over 20 lakh jobs.
Defending the PPP model, the minister said it was globally accepted. Under the new policy, 50 per cent of medical seats will be available to AP students on merit at a fee of `15,500. He said the government also aimed to reduce power tariffs to below ₹4 per unit through reforms and rooftop solar expansion under PM Surya Ghar, with special focus on SC, ST, BC and minority households.
Several journalists’ association leaders attended the programme.
