Andhra Pradesh CM pushes for population growth, joint family values on Ugadi
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced a population management policy aimed at boosting the state's population, while emphasising the need to strengthen family systems.
The Chief Minister said efforts are being made to revive the joint family system to ensure better care for elders and enhanced social stability.
“Through a population management policy, we are taking steps to increase population again…we must strengthen families and values in society,” Naidu said while addressing Ugadi celebrations organised by the government in Vijayawada.
He called for returning to value-based living, ensuring support for immediate family members.
Naidu reaffirmed his government's commitment to providing economic, social and health security to all people, while promoting joint family values and planning measures to encourage such systems.
He said schemes such as ‘Talli ki Vandanam’, which offers Rs 15,000 annual financial aid for school going children, will support family growth and social security.
Despite financial constraints, he said the state government has extended support to the poor with a continued focus on welfare measures.
He noted that reservoirs currently have a storage level of about 65 per cent and water will be released for irrigation purpose from May 15, encouraging farmers to prepare for heavy sowing during Kharif season.
The CM said the state government has introduced a water security policy to ensure water availability for drinking, agriculture, industries and environmental needs.
He highlighted that governance will increasingly become technology-driven, enabling better response to natural disasters and climatic variations.
Referring to the Sanjeevani project, he said it aims to strengthen public health and digital health records will enable personalised medical care in future.
According to him, the TDP, BJP and Janasena alliance was formed to ensure welfare, development and good governance.
He said his government is focusing on uplifting the poorest sections through targeted policies.
The Chief Minister said regional economic corridors centred around Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Amaravati will drive development, along with improved logistics connectivity.
He noted that over Rs 1,900 crore has been provided so far to families displaced due to the Polavaram project, while criticising the previous YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024 for not extending compensation.
Naidu reiterated that the Polavaram project will be completed before Godavari Pushkarams (kumbh mela like festival), ensuring gravity-based water supply to the Krishna delta and Visakhapatnam.
He said around Rs 5,000 crore more is required for the project and thanked the Centre for financial support.
Calling Amaravati the "people’s capital", he said the NDA coalition government is implementing short, medium and long-term plans for overall development.
He underscored that employment generation remains a priority, with a job calendar released for 10,060 posts, along with recruitment of nearly 16,000 teachers and over 5,700 police constables.
Naidu claimed that about 30,600 government jobs and over 6.2 lakh private sector jobs have been created.
The CM said notifications for job recruitment will be issued between May 15 and October 15, ensuring opportunities for youth.
He also highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has secured the top position in consumer justice, reflecting the government’s focus on protecting consumer rights.
Naidu expressed confidence that by 2047, the state will become a wealthy, healthy and happy society, achieving global recognition for Telugu people.
Meanwhile, Naidu signed the first file on the occasion of Ugadi, approving financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for thousands of beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister cleared Rs 55.63 crore to extend financial and medical assistance to 6,787 beneficiaries, as part of welfare support to the poor.
Meanwhile, the Ugadi awards were presented by the Chief Minister to artists who have made distinguished contributions across various fields.
He also presented mementoes to eminent artists and extended his congratulations for their accomplishments.
A total of 38 individuals received Kala Ratna awards, while 122 were honoured with Ugadi awards.
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73 Rajya Sabha MPs declare criminal cases; 31 billionaires: ADR Report
New Delhi (PTI): Around 32 per cent of sitting Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 14 per cent are billionaires, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The report is based on an analysis of affidavits of 229 out of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs. One seat from Jharkhand is currently vacant, while affidavits of three MPs were unavailable. The analysis includes 37 recently elected members.
Of the 229 MPs analysed, 73 (32 per cent) have declared criminal cases, with 36 (16 per cent) of them facing serious charges. One MP has declared a case of murder, four have cases of attempt to murder, and three have cases related to crimes against women.
Party-wise, 27 of 99 BJP MPs, 12 of 28 Congress MPs, four of 13 TMC MPs, and four of 10 AAP MPs have declared criminal cases. Three MPs from CPI(M) and BRS each have disclosed criminal cases.
The report also found 31 MPs (14 per cent) having a net worth of billions of rupees.
Among major parties, six BJP MPs, five Congress MPs, four YSRCP MPs, two AAP MPs, two BRS MPs, and three NCP MPs have declared assets exceeding Rs 100 crore.
The average assets of a Rajya Sabha MP stand at Rs 120.69 crore.
Among major parties, the average assets per MP are Rs 28.29 crore for BJP, Rs 128.61 crore for Congress, Rs 17.70 crore for TMC, and Rs 574.09 crore for AAP. Other parties include YSRCP (Rs 522.63 crore), SP (Rs 399.71 crore), BJD (Rs 105.63 crore), and DMK (Rs 11.90 crore).
BRS MP Bandi Partha Saradhi has declared the highest assets at over Rs 5,300 crore, followed by AAP's Rajinder Gupta with over Rs 5,053 crore, and YSRCP's Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy with over Rs 2,577 crore.
On the other end, AAP MP Sant Balbir Singh is the poorest, with assets worth about Rs 3 lakh. He is followed by Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba of Manipur with around Rs 5 lakh, and TMC's Prakash Chik Baraik with approximately Rs 9 lakh.
