Naidu reaffirms Amaravati as sole Capital of Andhra
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reaffirmed that Amaravati will remain the sole Capital of the State and cannot be moved. Addressing a public meeting after participating in the ‘Pedala Sevalo’ (in service of the poor) programme here in Nellore district, he said the Assembly had passed a resolution seeking legal status for Amaravati.
“Not even an inch of Amaravati can be moved. Amaravati is the only Capital of Andhra Pradesh,” the CM said, referring to the bill passed in the Lok Sabha to recognise Amaravati as the Capital of Andhra.
A bill seeking to recognise Amaravati as the sole and permanent Capital of Andhra Pradesh was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with the Congress, BJP and the TDP expressing support for it.
He alleged that the three-Capital policy of the previous YSRCP regime had hindered the state’s progress.
Highlighting development, the chief minister appreciated public participation in restoring the Vinjamur Old Tank and said works have been taken up at Rs 70 lakh.
Naidu announced diversion of water from the Somasila canal to the tank at the cost of Rs 34 crore, assuring completion of the work by October.
According to him, improved water availability will enhance livelihoods, as reservoirs like Somasila and Kandaleru hold around 60 percent water even in summer. Noting that the Andhra Government is spending Rs 2,750 crore monthly on pensions, he said Tamil Nadu provides only Rs 1,000 as a monthly pension, attributing welfare expansion to affection towards people.
The Chief Minister said financial assistance was extended under Talliki Vandanam (Rs 15,000 per annum given to school-going children) last year and funds will again be credited to girls’ accounts in June.
Naidu said the Centre provided Rs 1,300 crore for the Polavaram project, which will be dedicated to the nation during Godavari Pushkarams.
The Public Private People Partnership (P4) model was introduced to improve poor people’s living standards, with Adani Foundation adopting 25,000 families, he added.
The TDP supremo highlighted the industrial growth in Nellore, the development of Ramayapatnam and Dugarajapatnam ports, and the upcoming defence, drone, and explosives industries in Udayagiri.
Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is emerging as an investment destination, with Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited Special Economic Zone (IFFCO SEZ) expected to generate 80,000 jobs.
Naidu noted that proposals were sent to the Centre in 2018-19 for constructing the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, which was originally planned at Rs 285 crore but is now being misrepresented.
Similarly, the Chief Minister assured justice to fishermen, increased surveillance against Tamil Nadu fishermen, and strict monitoring by Nellore and Tirupati collectors.
Naidu said housewarming has been completed for over 2.5 lakh houses and construction of 4.5 lakh houses will be finished by December.
Warning that any lapses in governance will not be tolerated, he assured strict monitoring of services and infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also announced free power for weavers, saying Rs 153 crore is being spent on the scheme along with the establishment of handloom clusters.
Five handloom clusters will be launched under the National Rural Livelihood programme, he said.
Earlier, the chief minister inspected the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) defence products stall set up at the venue and reviewed the exhibits on display.
The TDP supremo visited stalls showcasing crops such as palm oil, jowar and papaya cultivated through micro-irrigation and interacted with farmers on best practices.
Farmers explained the use of modern equipment, including drones, in agriculture, while Naidu also held interactions with dairy farmers.
