Kerala CM meets PM; seeks release of Rs 2,220 cr for Wayanad landslide reconstruction works
New Delhi (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought the Centre's intervention on various issues, including the immediate release of over Rs 2,220 crore for Wayanad landslide-related reconstruction works and steps to improve the state's financial situation.
Briefing the media in the national capital, Vijayan said key issues were raised with the prime minister during the meeting.
Apart from funds for Wayanad relief works, the chief minister sought the central government's approval for setting up an AIIMS and increasing the state's borrowing limits.
During the meeting with Modi, the Kerala chief minister urged him to release Rs 2,221.03 crore NDRF (National Disaster Relief Fund) for Wayanad landslide-related reconstruction works.
There have been differences between Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front and the BJP-ruled Centre over funds for the Wayanad relief works. Many people died, and massive damage was caused due to the natural calamity in Wayanad last year.
Vijayan said he also sought immediate approval for establishing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Kinaloor in Kozhikode. It has been a long-standing demand to have an AIIMS in Kerala.
The issues related to lower borrowing limits and the financial woes faced by the state were also discussed by the chief minister with the prime minister.
Vijayan also shared a photo of the meeting with the prime minister on his X handle.
On his visit to the national capital, Vijayan also held meetings with Union ministers Amit Shah, J P Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Nitin Gadkari on Thursday.
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Andhra CM Naidu promises cash incentives for third, fourth child
Narasannapeta (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced incentives of Rs 30,000 for the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth, as part of efforts to reverse the state’s declining population trend.
Addressing a public meeting at Narsannapeta in Srikakulam district, Naidu said he had taken the decision and would announce further details within a month.
“I have made a new decision. We will provide Rs 30,000 immediately after the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child. Isn’t this the right decision?” Naidu said on the sidelines of the SwarnaAndhra SwachAndhra cleanliness programme.
Although he had once advocated population control measures, the CM said the time had now come for society to work together to increase the birth rate.
Naidu’s latest announcement follows an earlier proposal to provide a Rs 25,000 incentive for the birth of a second child.
On March 5, he informed the Assembly that the state government was considering an incentive of Rs 25,000 for couples having a second child.
However, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav told PTI on Saturday that the government had decided to extend the incentives to families having a third child and beyond.
According to Naidu, rising incomes are leading some couples to opt for a single child, while others are choosing a second child only if their firstborn is a girl.
As a result, he warned that the state’s population growth rate is declining and stressed the importance of maintaining the replacement-level total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1.
He noted that a population remains stable only when the fertility rate is 2.1 children per woman.
He emphasised that declining populations and ageing societies in several countries have adversely affected their economies.
Rejecting the notion that children are a burden, Naidu argued that they are an asset and vowed to demonstrate it.
Referring to the Talliki Vandanam welfare scheme, which provides Rs 15,000 per school-going child per annum, Naidu said he would increase the amount “if God shows mercy”.
He said the government is printing tamper-proof pattadar passbooks (land documents) and assured that there would be “no land disputes” by March 2027.
The TDP supremo promised to develop the Srikakulam district through infrastructure projects and the completion of irrigation works.
Giving project timelines, Naidu said the government would complete the Madduvalasa Stage–II project by January 2027, the Hiramandalam Lift Irrigation Project by April 2027, and the Thotapalli distributaries by July 2027, among others.
After the formation of the TDP-led NDA government, he said that 86 lakh tonnes of legacy waste had been cleared and promised 100 per cent clearance by June.
Further, the CM urged people to follow PM Narendra Modi’s guidelines to address economic challenges arising from the US–Israel–Iran conflict.
Naidu advised people to work from home as much as possible, reduce gold purchases, explore domestic tourism, use public transport, and take similar steps to support the economy and cooperate with the government.
