Reject cash for votes: CM Babu

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has questioned the practice of voters accepting money during elections, warning that a few thousand rupees received before polling could eventually cost citizens much more through corruption and poor governance.

Speaking during celebrations marking one year of the Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme, Naidu said political leaders do not distribute money from their personal resources and that cash given to voters amounts to a bribe. He urged citizens to reject the practice and hold elected representatives accountable.

The remarks came as Naidu highlighted the benefits of his government’s women-centric welfare initiative. Marking the scheme’s first anniversary, he travelled with women beneficiaries in an APSRTC Palle Velugu bus from Amaravati Parade Grounds to his camp office and interacted with beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister said the scheme had enabled 87 crore free journeys in a year, with around 24 lakh women travelling free every day. It is being implemented through 7,631 APSRTC buses at a daily subsidy cost of about Rs 8.53 crore.

Women beneficiaries said the scheme had significantly reduced their household expenses. A fisherwoman from Kakinada reported saving nearly Rs 4,000 a month, while a woman from Nandyal said she saved about Rs 1,500. A B.Sc student from Anakapalli said the scheme had reduced her family’s educational expenses.

Naidu urged women to use such savings to pursue employment, start businesses and strengthen household incomes. He also praised DWCRA women for their loan repayment record and called for greater participation of women’s groups in combating drug abuse and crime.

The Chief Minister’s message linked electoral responsibility with welfare: voters should reject cash-for-votes and use government benefits as a stepping stone towards economic independence and active participation in governance.

CM calls for collective resolve to build ‘Swarna Andhra’ by 2047

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday called upon the people of the State to turn individual achievements into contributions to nation-building and collectively work towards transforming Andhra Pradesh into a prosperous and globally competitive “Swarna Andhra” by 2047.

Addressing the 80th  Independence Day celebrations at Nelapadu in Amaravati, Naidu unfurled the national flag and received a ceremonial salute from police and security forces. He paid tribute to the freedom fighters whose sacrifices had made India’s independence possible, and urged citizens to dedicate the next two decades to building a stronger nation and State.

“Every personal success should become part of nation-building,” Naidu said, calling for a collective commitment to the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Swarna Andhra 2047. He said students should drive innovation, farmers should adopt sustainable practices, employees should work with dedication and women should achieve greater economic independence.

The Chief Minister claimed that the State had suffered five years of institutional and economic setbacks under the previous government and said the coalition administration had taken up the task of reconstruction. He said the government had spent Rs 1.50 lakh crore on welfare and Rs 1.34 lakh crore on development over the past 26 months. Naidu highlighted the government’s efforts to restructure 370 loans and reduce the interest burden, resulting in estimated savings of Rs 8,269 crore. He also cited 15,941 teacher recruitments through Mega DSC and said annual teacher recruitment would continue.

Naidu said the State had signed agreements for Rs 24 lakh crore in investments, with Rs 14 lakh crore already approved, potentially generating 11 lakh jobs. He said 28 new industrial policies had been introduced and the government was targeting 20 lakh jobs over five years.

On infrastructure, he said 89 per cent of Polavaram works had been completed and the project would be dedicated to the nation before next year’s Pushkaram. Amaravati would emerge as a world-class, green and deep-tech capital. The celebrations featured colourful tableaux from around 25 government departments showcasing development and welfare initiatives. The Education-Samagra Shiksha and Horticulture departments jointly won first prize, Handlooms and Textiles secured second, and the Forest Department won third. Police, NCC, CRPF, Karnataka Police and Scouts contingents participated in the parade, while the Chief Minister presented medals to personnel for distinguished service.