Palnadu set for industrial and horticulture growth: Minister Gotiipati Ravi Kumar

Narasaraopet: Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister and Palnadu district in-charge Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Monday said the coalition government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was implementing the promises made to the people and pursuing welfare and development simultaneously. Participating in the coalition government’s second anniversary celebrations at Narasaraopet, Mr. Ravi Kumar distributed subsidised tractors, drip irrigation systems and agricultural equipment to farmers. He also handed over subsidised autorickshaws to beneficiaries under programmes implemented by the DRDA and Velugu.

The Minister visited exhibition stalls set up by various departments showcasing achievements and programmes implemented during the coalition government’s two years in office. Addressing a public meeting, Mr. Ravi Kumar said the government was spending about Rs.33,000 crore annually on social security pensions. Referring to the Talliki Vandanam scheme, he said Rs.10,000 crore had been credited to beneficiaries in a single day.

He added that more than Rs.8,900 crore assistance had been extended to farmers under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme. The Minister said the government had filled over 16,000 teacher posts through the DSC recruitment process as part of efforts to strengthen the public education system. He also highlighted welfare measures for women, including the provision of three free LPG cylinders a year and free travel facilities in RTC buses.

Criticising the previous YSRCP government, Mr. Ravi Kumar alleged that several key projects, including the Amaravati capital city project and the Polavaram irrigation project, had suffered setbacks during its tenure. He said the delay in Polavaram had affected irrigation prospects and the associated 920 MW hydropower project. On the power sector, the Minister alleged that electricity tariffs had been increased multiple times during the previous government’s tenure. He said the coalition government had not imposed any additional burden on consumers over the last two years and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining tariff stability. Mr. Ravi Kumar said the government was focusing on industrial development in Rayalaseema and Palnadu.

Two compressed biogas (CBG) plants were being established in Palnadu, he said, adding that efforts were underway to develop the region as a horticulture hub and attract new industries to create employment opportunities for youth. The Minister said the government would continue implementing welfare programmes and announced that new pensions and housing benefits for eligible beneficiaries would be taken up in the coming period.