I am fighting demons coming in the garb of Oppn leaders: Jagan

Vizianagaram: Terming the opposition party leaders as demons and terrorists who are obstructing the process of development, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that he is fighting them as he was striving for a robust Andhra Pradesh that would boast of three fully developed regions.

Mr said that the TDP and other opposition parties have been trying to hamper development of the regions for their selfish reasons and TDP leaders are spreading rumours on a section of the media with the intention of maligning the image of YSRC government.

The Chief Minister was speaking after launching the flag-ship programme Jagananna Vasati Devena here amid thunderous cheers from students of various colleges, political leaders and others.

as part of the scheme, while ITI students will get an annual financial assistance of Rs 10,000 for food and hostel expenses, diploma students will be given Rs 15,000. Those pursuing graduation and other higher education courses will receive Rs 20,000 per annum. A total of 11.87 lakh students will be benefited under the scheme for which the government will spend Rs 2,300 crore per year.

Mr Reddy said that education is the only tool that can help overcome poverty, which was why his government conceptualised Vasati Devena to ensure that poor students will not be deprived of their educational aspirations. The government is keen on ending the dropout rate in colleges, he added.

He regretted that illiteracy rate in Andhra Pradesh as per the 2011 census was at 33 per cent as against the national average of 27 per cent. The government will be spending over Rs 14,000 crore for education of the poor, skill development and other benefits of the students, he reassured.

Under the Vasati Devena scheme, the amount will be credited in two instalments. A minimum of 75% attendance is a must to avail the benefits. The scheme is applicable to all the government and private colleges in the State.