Panchayat Raj and IT Minister N. Lokesh seemed to have virtually set the tone for the elections as he went on a stone-laying spree on Thursday.
He laid the foundation stone for a school building, a primary health centre, a high-level bridge across the Budameru drain, and beautification of a drinking water tank at Ungutur village in the Gannavaram constituency.
Later, addressing a public meeting, Mr. Lokesh said the government would spend more than ₹27 crore on these projects.
Mr. Lokesh also urged the people to cast their vote for the TDP as a gift to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his efforts to develop the State.
Lists achievements
Listing the welfare programmes launched and achievements made during the last three-and-a-half years, he said, “At the age of 67, the Chief Minister is working hard like a 24-year-old youth. He is toiling for the development of the State and to better the lives of our children. Gift him your vote.”
Despite many hurdles, the Chief Minister was implementing the promises made in the manifesto in the run-up to the elections in 2014.
The government implemented the ₹24,000-crore debt redemption scheme. It also waived Dwcra group loans of ₹6,000 crore. Another ₹2,000 crore would be released towards waiver of Dwcra loans on the Women’s Day, he said. The other major achievements included 24-hour power supply and increase in social welfare pensions, he added.
The government was also implementing various welfare measures such as Talli Bidda Express, Chandranna Bima, and Maha Prasthanam, Mr. Lokesh said. The TDP government also increased the quantum of social welfare pension, he said, and added that no other State was paying pension to 50 lakh people.
ODF State
Through the Swachh Andhra Corporation, the government was constructing individual sanitary latrines, the Minister said. Andhra Pradesh would be an open defecation free (ODF) State March 2018, he added.
“The constituency has been the stronghold of the TDP since long. As requested by Gannavaram MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan, a veterinary hostel will be sanctioned soon,” he said.
