Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh coalition government has declared that a “new chapter” in tribal welfare has begun under its administration, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to attend the state’s International Tribal Day celebrations in Paderu on Saturday.

The event, to be held at Vanjangi village in Paderu mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, will be themed “Protecting Indigenous Rights, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Tribals” in line with the United Nations’ call for 2024. Naidu will begin the day with prayers at the Modakondamma temple, join local tribal festivities, visit tribal homes to hear their concerns, and interact with coffee plantation farmers. He will then participate in a public meeting at Lagisapalle, lay foundation stones for development projects in tribal areas, witness the signing of MoUs for tribal projects, and meet party workers.

The government is accelerating road and bridge projects to connect remote tribal habitations to major agency and plains regions, with Rs.2,404 crore earmarked to link over 2,075 tribal villages in the next five years. This includes Rs.41 crore for road corridors in Alluri Sitarama Raju district and Rs.10 crore for a high-level bridge over the Nagavali river in Parvathipuram Manyam.

Healthcare is a priority, with the ITDA Chinturu Community Health Centre being upgraded to a 100-bed hospital, and multi-specialty hospitals coming up in Seethampeta, Parvathipuram, Rampachodavaram, KR Puram, and Srisailam at a cost of Rs.50 crore each. Paderu’s medical college construction is progressing rapidly. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs.2,373 crore is being spent to provide drinking water to 13,816 tribal habitations by 2026. To expand the global brand of Araku coffee, Rs.202 crore will be invested in plantation expansion, processing units, and pulping facilities. Tourism projects will also be developed to create jobs for tribal youth.

The government has allocated Rs.7,557 crore under the Scheduled Tribe Component for 2024-25. Free power up to 200 units a month is being supplied to 4.82 lakh tribal families, and rooftop solar panel schemes are in the pipeline. NTR Bharosa pensions benefit 3,77,051 tribals at a monthly cost of Rs.1,595 crore, while Thalliki Vandanam has credited Rs.642 crore to the accounts of mothers of 4,86,803 tribal students.

CM announces Rs. 10 lakh ex-gratia for victims of Vizag gas cylinder blast

 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh each to the families of the three persons who lost their lives in the gas cylinder explosion at a welding shop near the Fishing Harbour in Visakhapatnam.

The tragic incident, which claimed three lives, has shocked the port city. Acting swiftly, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure immediate disbursement of compensation to the bereaved families. Naidu also instructed authorities to provide the best possible medical care to those injured in the blast, emphasising that their treatment should be prioritised without any delay.