No LPG shortage in Andhra, says CM Naidu
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said there is no shortage of LPG cylinders in the state and instructed officials to coordinate with the Centre to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Reviewing LPG stocks and supply during the sixth District Collectors’ Conference here, the chief minister assessed the situation in the backdrop of the ongoing war in West Asia.
“There is no shortage of LPG (domestic or commerical) anywhere. We should coordinate with the Centre to ensure that supply continues smoothly without disruption,” Naidu said in an official release.
The TDP supremo stressed that LPG supply to schools and hospitals should continue without any interruption.
Officials were asked to maintain strict vigilance to prevent blackmarketing of LPG cylinders.
Meanwhile, Civil Supplies department Secretary, Saurabh Gaur informed Naidu that the state currently has sufficient LPG stocks and supply remains stable.
Officials said gas is being supplied by public sector companies including HPCL, IOCL and BPCL.
According to officials, Andhra Pradesh has over 1.6 crore domestic LPG connections and nearly 10 lakh commercial connections.
The daily LPG demand in the state is around 4,000 tonnes.
At present, about 21,500 tonnes of LPG cylinders are available with various gas companies, ensuring adequate supply across the state, said the release.
Naidu directed officials to continuously monitor the situation through the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) and submit regular reports to the government.
He also instructed district collectors to remain alert and take immediate steps if any disruptions arise due to the global situation.
Meanwhile, the state government constituted a committee of ministers to continuously assess market conditions related to LPG and horticultural products.
The committee includes Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Achennaidu and Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav, who will review developments and suggest necessary measures.
District collectors were also asked to explore alternative markets for agricultural products such as eggs and bananas if exports are disrupted.
He emphasised that the administration should remain prepared to address any challenge and ensure stability in supply chains.
Similarly, Naidu called for strengthening branding and marketing of Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWACRA) products under Swayam (self) brand.
Addressing the sixth District Collectors’ Conference here, Naidu suggested that officials promote DWACRA products and create a structured marketing system through cooperative participation models.
“Products made by DWACRA women should be strongly branded and marketed under the Swayam brand to enhance their value and market reach,” he said.
These (DWACRA) products should also be marketed through cooperative systems, he added.
According to him, multinational companies succeed through strong branding and similar branding strategies are required to enhance recognition and value of DWACRA products.
Establishing a clear brand identity will improve market reach and create better income opportunities for women self-help group entrepreneurs.
The cooperative model adopted by a private dairy company, involving dairy farmers’ participation, could serve as a suitable framework for marketing products produced by DWACRA women.
Naidu noted that strong financial discipline shown by DWACRA women, who repay loans without defaulting, has enhanceded banks’ confidence in them.
He also stressed that products lose value without proper branding and officials have to improve quality standards so Swayam products can compete in national markets.
Reviewing sanitation efforts under Swachh Andhra, he noticed garbage along roads during visits to Kakinada and Samarlakota and directed municipal commissioners to prioritise cleanliness.
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Kharge calls NDA ‘opportunist alliance thriving on corruption’ at rally
Puducherry (PTI): Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the NDA "is an opportunist alliance that thrives on corruption and the looting of public assets".
Addressing a rally of the INDIA bloc in Puducherry, the Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "had done nothing" for the union territory’s development.
He urged voters to back the INDIA bloc in the April 9 Assembly polls, calling it "an opportunity for the people to fight against divisive forces led by the BJP and RSS, which are destroying unity, harmony, and the progressive spirit of Puducherry."
Kharge also criticised the BJP for neglecting smaller states like Puducherry and made a strong case for granting it statehood, promising, "Congress will secure statehood—this is a guarantee we give to the people here".
He alleged that under the current AINRC-BJP coalition, Puducherry is "riddled with corruption and a 30 per cent commission system," with the NDA government exploiting the union territory, despite it being "one of the country’s most beautiful places".
He expressed concern over "misuse of funds and stalled development", alleging corruption had "seeped into every sector".
Kharge claimed that despite Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, "everything in practice is being handed to one person, Adani—from land to skies."
He added that the NDA was "exploiting land, temple lands, and public property."
The Congress leader also criticised the AINRC-BJP rule for granting permits for around 450 liquor shops and restaurants over the last five years, claiming, "Instead of providing clean water, the government has been giving liquor to the people."
Kharge compared the current situation with the previous Congress rule, highlighting development across sectors, particularly healthcare. "Hospitals were established here to take care of the health of the people," he said.
Among his promises, Kharge pledged "gold for mangala sutra" for women if Congress is elected, along with free education from primary school to research level.
He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises to Puducherry had not materialised and renewed his call for full statehood, citing the lack of powers as a "hindrance" to the elected government.
He recalled that during the previous Congress rule, then Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who was also present, faced interference from then Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.
Kharge said Congress has always stood with the people and would continue to improve their lives through developmental programmes, as it had during earlier administrations.
The meeting was presided over by Puducherry PCC president V Vaithilingam, and among the speakers was S P Sivakumar of the DMK.
