Thalliki Vandanam Scheme Benefits 67.47 Lakh Students, Says Lokesh
Lokesh said every child deserves access to quality education, and described investment in students as an investment in Andhra Pradesh's future
Vijayawada: Declaring that children are the state's greatest asset and education its most valuable investment, education minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday said the government is committed to ensuring that “no child is deprived of education due to financial constraints.”
Releasing funds under the Thalliki Vandanam scheme, Lokesh said the programme provides financial assistance to every eligible school-going child in a family without any cap on the number of beneficiaries.
The government had released the funds at the beginning of the academic year for the second consecutive year to help parents meet educational expenses on time.
Under the scheme, the government is depositing `10,120.78 crore into the bank accounts of 42.70 lakh mothers, benefiting 67.47 lakh students across the state. The fund transfer process would continue until July 24, he said.
Reiterating the government's focus on education, Lokesh said every child deserves access to quality education, and described investment in students as an investment in Andhra Pradesh's future.
He expressed gratitude to mothers striving to educate their children despite financial hardships and said the government recognised their commitment to securing a better future for their families.
Later, addressing the second day of the ‘Mana Illu – Mana Lokesh’ outreach programme at CK Convention Centre in Mangalagiri, where permanent land title deeds were distributed to beneficiaries from Mangalagiri and Tadepalli mandals, Lokesh said the government was fulfilling the long-pending aspirations of the people.
He said the government had distributed 3,000 permanent land titles in the first phase and another 3,000 in the second phase through a transparent process.
Listing development initiatives, Lokesh said work on a 100-bed hospital, parks, community halls and crematoriums was under way. A `1,800-crore project had been planned to address underground drainage and drinking water issues in the constituency with Central and state funding.
Works on drinking water supply, piped gas, the Mahanadu retaining wall, development of the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, reopening of Anna Canteens and installation of drinking water plants were also in progress.
Temples, churches and mosques would be developed in phases, he said.
Lokesh said MP Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, who could not attend the programme because of the ongoing Parliament session, was working to secure more central projects for Andhra Pradesh. The Nidamarru Railway Over Bridge was expected to be completed within 12 months.
