AP Budget Sessions Commence with Governor’s Address

Governor Justice Abdul Nazir, addressing both houses of the assembly, emphasized the state’s development and commitment to social justice and equality. As part of this commitment, a statue of BR Ambedkar was unveiled in Vijayawada. The Governor noted the implementation of four budgets, highlighting the government’s fulfillment of promises benefiting farmers, youth, weavers, the elderly, and women.

Key Education Reforms

The Governor highlighted significant reforms in the education sector, including basic facilities in schools, the Jagananna Gorumudda scheme providing 16 types of dishes in mid-day meals, and financial allocations for uniforms and books under the Jagananna Vidya Kanuka initiative. Upgradation of 294 government schools, distribution of 9.5 lakh tabs to classes 8 and 9 students, and financial assistance of 20,000 per student were also mentioned. The foreign education scheme for students studying abroad was emphasized.

Healthcare Initiatives

The Governor spoke about the Jagananna Arogya Suraksha program, aiming for Arogya Andhra Pradesh, with 104 and 108 vehicles worth Rs.1,208 crores. The Arogyasri scheme benefiting 1.48 crore families and YSR Arogyasri, benefiting 36 lakh people since 2019, were highlighted.

Also Read: AP Government Accelerates Industrial Growth, Aims to Transform AP into Pharmaceutical Hub

Agricultural and Farmer Welfare

Governor Nazir emphasized the government’s focus on agricultural development, citing the YSR Rythu Bharosa scheme providing Rs.13,500 to farmers and the establishment of 10,778 Rythu Bharosa Kendras across the state. Rs.33,300 crores have been provided under Rythu Bharosa, including compensation for crop loss and input subsidies for 22.85 lakh farmers. AP was commended as the first state to announce minimum support prices for horticultural crops, with free crop insurance and Rs.7,751 crores allocated for crop collection. The state’s share in fruit production in the country is 15 percent. He explained that the state is second in the country in micro-irrigation.

Leadership in Aqua Production

AP was recognized as the leading state in fish production, becoming the Aqua Hub of India. Compensation for fishermen during the fishing ban period was increased to Rs.10,000, benefiting 2.4 lakh fishermen with a deposit of Rs.540 crores. Additionally, ex-gratia for fishermen families was increased to Rs.10 lakhs, and 500 mother-child express vehicles were provided at a cost of Rs.71 crore.