Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has termed that his government is implementing large-scale welfare measures through the ‘Pedala Sevalo’ (In the service of the poor) programme on the very first day of every month, expressing its commitment for their uplift from poverty.

Mr. Naidu participated in several programmes at Vinjamur of Udayagiri constituency in Nellore district on Wednesday, where he distributed social welfare pensions and free power certificates for weaver beneficiaries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the ₹2,750 crore spent every month on welfare pensions was significantly higher than the disbursal under this head in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Similarly, the ‘Thalliki Vandanam’ and ‘Deepam 2.0’ were being implemented with due seriousness to extend three free LPG cylinders to households, adding that piped gas would soon be made available to all.

On the irrigation front, he thanked the centre for releasing ₹1,300 crore for the Polavaram project and announced to dedicate the project to the nation before the ensuing Godavari Pushkarams.

He also announced ₹34 crore for bringing water from the Somasila canal to Pathacheruvu in Vinjamur, assuring that the tank would be full by October.

On Nellore district’s industrial growth, Mr. Naidu said the project such as Ramayapatnam port, Dugarajapatnam shipbuilding centre, and solar manufacturing units would generate around 80,000 jobs.

Turning his ire towards the opposition, Mr. Naidu chided certain groups for indulging in “hit-and-run politics” by spreading misinformation against the government.

He made a specific reference to the Juvvaladinne fishing harbour and clarified that the proposal dating back to 2018 (the previous TDP regime) was being executed at an outlay of ₹285 crore.

‘Poll promise fulfilled’

Fulfilling a pre-election promise, Mr. Naidu announced sanction of free electricity for weavers starting April 1. The scheme would cost ₹153 crore to the exchequer, but significantly reduce the financial burden on weaver beneficiaries. He also announced ₹5 crore thrift fund for weavers, establishment of five handloom clusters under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

He also announced that 5.5 lakh houses had already been completed in 21 months and another 4.5 lakh ready by December this year.

District in-charge Minister N. Md. Farooq, Members of Parliament Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy and Beeda Mastan Rao, MLA Kakarla Suresh and Collector Himanshu Shukla took part.