CM lists achievements

State tops in 20-point programme after 18 years

• Freedom fighters pension hiked to Rs 7,000
• Telugu mandatory from first to tenth in all schools
• Over 50,000 registrations for Bangaru Thalli
• 3.5 lakh youth to be placed under RYK
• Third phase of Rachabanda programme would benefit 27 lakh families
• His speech was devoid of any reference to bifurcation of state

Hyderabad : Combating poverty to help the poor and low-income families was one of the main goals of our government, observed Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday. Hoisting the tricolour at Parade Grounds, he said Rs 26,000 crore had been spent on various welfare schemes for the poor last year. However, his speech was devoid of any reference to the proposed bifurcation of the state and the ongoing agitation by the people of Seemandhra. As Independence Day gift, the Chief Minister announced hike in freedom fighters' pension from the existing Rs 4000 to Rs 7000.

The Chief Minister said his government was moving in a direction of achieving 10 per cent growth rate in the state. Andhra Pradesh achieved top place in implementing the 20-point programme after a long gap of 18 years, he said, adding that state stood first even in works provided under national rural employment guarantee scheme.

He informed that the third phase of Rachabanda programme, which would benefit around 27 lakh families, would kick-off soon. Telugu language was made mandatory in all schools from first standard until tenth, Kiran Reddy said. In a major relief to agriculture and industry sectors, the Chief Minister said power situation had improved considerably due to adequate rainfall received this year. Seven hours of free power was being provided to 32 lakh agriculture pump-sets in all districts, he said.

Touching upon the irrigation sector, Kiran Reddy informed that construction work on Kanthanapalli project would commence soon. The government is taking steps to bring in an additional 31lakh acres across the state under cultivable land category. He informed about the government’s intentions to give loans worth Rs 72,000 crore for farmers this year.

‘Bangaru Thalli’ scheme was launched to check falling female child sex ratio and ensure empowerment of the girl child through education. More than 50,000 names were registered since the scheme came into existence on May 1 this year. He also took credit for bringing SC/ST sub-plans.

For the first time in state history, 84,000 new jobs were created in the government sector. The administration already placed 3.25 lakh unemployed youth in private sector under Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu scheme. ‘This year we are aiming to provide jobs to another 3.5lakh youth,’ he said.

Kiran Reddy pointed out that Hyderabad Metro Rail, Outer Ring Road and Krishna phase-3 works were going on at a fast pace. The state government was leaving no stone unturned for maintaining law and order and communal harmony in the state, he stated.