In Andhra Pradesh history, 2013 will remain crucial year

History is more aptly defined as the analysis and interpretation of the human past that enables us to study continuity and change over time. 2013 turns to be a crucial year in not only in the history of Andhra Pradesh, but also in the Indian history.

The cabinet sub committee submitted its report on SC/ST sub plan, which has been received a legal guarantee. The committee pursued each and every issue for almost three months, before they submitted their report. This is the first ever initiative taken by any state in India for the welfare of the downtrodden people like SCs/STs. The bill was approved in the month of May 2013. According to this plan 20% of funds allotted to every welfare activity are to be exclusively allocated for SCs/STs. The cabinet sub committee was headed by the Chief Minister, N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister, Damodara Rajanarasimha.

Indian societies turned vicious to the female child. The female feticide is at a rise; and brought down the male to female ratio to 1: 0.93 in the year 2013. There has been a need to secure the lives of female child. With such a noble thought, Andhra Pradesh government has brought into force a unique scheme called “Bangaru Talli”. It was implemented in all places of Andhra Pradesh w.e.f 01 May 2013. As per this scheme, a financial assistance will be given by the state government for a female child from the time of her birth till she completes her graduation. The scheme was approved on June, 19.

Similarly, one more welfare scheme of provision of 9 daily commodities for a meagre amount of rupees 185/- was brought into force with the name “Amma Hastam”. This scheme was unveiled on April, 11 on the eve of Ugadi festival.

From the other end, the government turned to be a complete failure as far as the edict is concerned. The names of as many as 5 ministers have been included in the charge sheet filed by the CBI in Jagan’s disproportionate of assets case. The Congress party and the ruling government faced a lot of criticism for this. Kiran Kumar Reddy suspended D.L. Ravindra Reddy, a minister in his cabinet. It was second such incident. Before, Ravindra Reddy it was the turn of Shankar Rao. Both these ministers were suspended for the same reason – criticizing Kiran Kumar Reddy, openly. D.L. Ravindra Reddy was suspended on June, 1. It has drawn the attention of many people from nooks and corners of not only Andhra Pradesh, but also entire nation. However, Kiran managed the act as mere execution of high command’s order.

As many as six ministers in Kiran’s cabinet including Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, Dharmana Prasada Rao, Sabita Indra Reddy were mentioned in CBI’s charge sheet. Sabita Indra Reddy and Dharmana had to resign from their posts on May, 20. Kiran Kumar retained the home ministry with him, while allocating the one vacated by Dharmana to Pitani.

The elections for Panchayats were conducted in the months of June-July. Many pilgrims of Andhra Pradesh were victimized in the Uttarakhand floods in the month of June. It was a big blow ever faced by Andhra Pradesh of such kind. This has been the most tragic incident in the history of Andhra Pradesh as many people lost their lives; and details of many more are not known till date.

Floods in a sequence hit Andhra Pradesh in the year 2013, badly, leaving a huge damage to the state. Helen, Phailin, Lehar etc hit the state, one after the other, and caused a heavy loss to the state.

The last but not least issue to be discussed here is the bifurcation of the state. From the time the CWC has given its consent for the division of the state, the state turned to be very fierce. APNGOs went on strike for a very longer period of 67 days. Many protests around the state were staged. Despite the fact that the decision has come from his own party, Kiran Kumar Reddy has been opposing the state bifurcation, openly.

Facing lot many hindrances, the T-bill has been tabled in the state assembly. Before the beginning of the debate on T-bill itself, the assembly has been adjourned.

Amidst a mixture of favourable and unfavorable circumstances, Andhra Pradesh has reached the verge of completion of the year 2013.