Amid freebies row, Andhra opens purse strings

Amaravati: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs 4,700 Crore under YSR Cheyutha for direct transfer into the accounts of 25 lakh beneficiaries. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Jagan on Wednesday.

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance of RS 18,750 each to SC, ST, and BC, minorities women in the age group of 45 to 60. Under Jala Jeevan Mision, the government has approved a Rs 4020 crore loan to NABARD for drinking water.

The cabinet that met on Wednesday approved Rs 20 lakh for each village and ward secretariat under the Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhutvam program. The sanction was also accorded for constructing one lakh houses under Greater Visakha Corporation. It includes 3,750 houses in Anakapalle. In addition, statewide 21.30 lakh houses were sanctioned under Navaratnalu.

Educational institutions

Cabinet also approved a draft bill to amend various Acts concerning universities, including RJUKT 2008. It also approved Degree College in Nandyal with 24 teaching staff and six non-teaching staff.

In Kurupam Tribal Engineering College 80 regular teaching and six regular nonteaching staff and another 48 nonteaching staff under outsourcing would be appointed. In Dornala of Prakasam district, for the new college, 25 teaching staff regularly and six non-teaching staff under outsourcing would be appointed. The Cabinet ratified the decision to merge the municipal schools and the staff under Education Department.

Reservations:

Four percent reservation should be given to differently-abled persons in all departments. The Cabinet decided to provide 85 additional posts In GAD, and the staffing pattern in AP Vaidya Vidhana Parishad would be changed. The Cabinet also resolved to strengthen the State Architect Wing in the Highways and Buildings Department and sanctioned eight posts.

The government agreed to give a guarantee of RS 1600 crore bank guarantee for Amaravati phase 1 for basic amenities. The cabinet has also given the nod for amending the APCRDA act 2014 and APMR and UDA Act 2016 for the works undertaken by State and Central governments. Jagan said Rs 1.25 lakh investment would be coming to the state in the industrial, power, and tourism sectors. Nearly 60,000 jobs would also be created.

The cabinet gave its nod to setting up permanent Lok Adalats in Nellore, Kurnool, Vizianagaram, and West Godavari districts with a staff of 40 members.

Tabs for students:

Around 4,72,472 lakh students of class 8 in government and aided schools will be given tabs worth Rs.650 crores. In addition, 50,000 tabs will be given to the teachers. The government will provide 3 GB RAM, 32 GB memory, and an additional 64 GB memory card in each tab. There will be a service center in Village and Ward Secretariat so that any repairs to be rectified immediately.

Under the agreement with Byjus, the government will provide free content to students from classes 4 to 10.