Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has approved, sanctioned and announced five important sops for the welfare of weaker sections on successful completion of two years in office.
The Chief Minister announced “Rajiv Vidya Deevena” — a pre-matric scholarship scheme for IX and X Class students on saturation basis with a budget of Rs 120 crores. The scheme will be implemented with the support of the Union government.
As per the scheme, the day scholars would be paid Rs 2,250 (Rs 150 for 10 months and Rs750 book grant). Hostellers would get Rs 4,500 (Rs 350 for 10 months and Rs 1000 for book grant). Four lakh SC students will be benefited to the tune of Rs 90 crores and 1.60 lakh ST students will be benefited to the tune of Rs 30 crores.
As assured by the Chief Minister in Sunnamvaarigudem of Khammam district during Indiramma Baata, to improve the education standards in Gurukulams and Andhra Pradesh Tribal Welfare Residential Society, 228 teacher posts were sanctioned. The Chief Minister also announced “Indiramma Amrutha Hastham” with Rs 100 crores for two lakh pregnant and lactating mothers. One cooked meal in high risk 100 ICDS projects will be provided under this scheme. This would help reduce infant and maternal mortality rate.
The Chief Minister also sanctioned Rs 50 crores for BCs i.e. Andhra Pradesh Geetha Parisramika Arthika Samkshema Samstha. He also sanctioned separate Commissionerate for minority welfare with 69 posts, including one post of Commissioner, seven posts of Deputy Directors, five posts of assistant directors, 56 other posts.
The Chief Minister approved 50 additional mandays under MGNREGS as assured earlier. During the year, 6.7 lakh rural households have completed 100 days and another 6.2 lakh rural households completed 75-100 days. Approximately, 12.9 lakh rural households will be completing 100 days by the end of March next. The State government would provide additional 50 days of wage employment to those households who have completed 100 days of work. This will benefit approximately 12.9 lakh households in the State. Besides, 12.9 lakh families will be able to earn up to Rs 6,850 extra per household. This will create an additional income of Rs 884 crores (12.9 lakh households at Rs 6,850) to all the rural households.
Even those households which have already completed 100 days will be able to construct individual Household Latrines under Nirmal Bharath Abhiyan, thus clearing the way for completing 10 lakh Individual Household latrines during the year. It will be possible to pay maintenance charges to the SC/ST/Small and marginal farmers who have taken up horticulture in more than 1.2 lakh acres during this year. (NSS)