“Andhra Pradesh Government has taken up a project to construct 100 to 300 bedded multispecialty hospitals in all 175 Assembly Constituencies. About ₹233 crore is being spent for strengthening Primary, Urban and General Health Centres in the State,” Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said.
He participated in the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium in Vijayawada on Friday (August 15, 2025) and hoisted the Tricolour flag. He received the guard of honour from the armed contingents, police and NCC Battalions.
Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu presents awards to APSP 16th Battallion Visakhapatnam contingents.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. Giri
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the top priority was being given for welfare and development, health, education and agriculture sectors. Government is planning to establish Yoga Adhyayana Parishad soon.
“Through Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) ₹552 crore aid was extended to the patients. Digital Nerve Centres would be extended in all districts in the State in the next two years,” Mr. Naidu said.
Government has distributed uniform kits to the students under Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna Vidyarthi Mitra Scheme, at a cost of ₹953 crore. Every Saturday has been declared as ‘No Bag Day’ and GO.117 brought to merge schools has been terminated.
“Talliki Vandanam’ scheme was being implemented by spending ₹10,000 crore and about 67 lakh students were benefited under the Scheme. Each student was given ₹15,000 and the amount was credited in the accounts of the mothers,” the Chief Minister said.
As part of women development and empowerment, priority was being given for women in setting up industries. EAGLE, 164 Shakthi Teams and 300 Help Desks have been set up to check ganja (Cannabis) and drugs smuggling and provide protection for women.
“Stern action was being taken against those who post derogatory comments against women on social media platforms,” Mr. Naidu warned.
Women can travel in all ‘Palle Veluvu’, Urtra Palle Velugu’, City Ordinary, Express and Metro Express buses at free of charge under ‘Stree Shakthi’ Scheme, launched at a cost of ₹1,942 crore.
“The State Government was paying ₹1.79 lakh gratuity to Anganwadi Workers and ₹1.09 lakh to Anganwadi Helpers. Retirement age for ASHA workers was increased to 62 years,” he said.
“To fulfil the dream of owning a house, government is planning to allot three cents of land in rural areas and two cents in urban areas at free of cost for constructing houses. About three lakh houses which were completed would be distributed to the beneficiaries soon, and six lakh more houses will be distributed by the March, next year,” the Chief Minister said.
Through ‘NTR Bharosa Scheme’, 64 lakh pensions were being disbursed to the eligible persons. For senior citizens ₹4,000, for specially challenged ₹6,000, ₹10,000 for dialysis patients and ₹15,000 for the patients, who were complete bed-ridden, was being given, Mr. Naidu explained.
“Centre has released ₹12,157 crore and by the end of 2027, Polavaram project will be completed. Government has decided to link Polavaram-Banakacharla project to provide water to Rayalaseema region,” the CM added in his speech.
“The excess water in Godavari will be diverted from Polavaram to Banakacharla. Only the water going waste into the sea would be diverted and no State would suffer due to the project. So, no one shall raise objection on the proposed project,” the Chief Minister said, clarifying the water issues with the neighbouring Telugu speaking State.
Later, Mr. Naidu distributed first prize to 16th APSP Battalion, Visakhapatnam and 2nd APSP Battalion, Kurnool, which won prizes in the best armed contingents category, during the I-Day Celebrations.
The Chief Minister also gave prizes to the tableaux of Sericulture (Silk work unit) and Women Development and Child Welfare Departments, which won first and second prizes during the celebrations.
Mr. Naidu also praised Prime Minister Modi for his leadership and saluted the Armed Forces for showing their power and capabilities during ‘Operation Sindoor.’
Published – August 15, 2025 03:00 pm IST
