Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday promised justice to the victims of the AgriGold in the State as early as possible. He said the issue was being taken up in all Cabinet meetings since the poor people had invested ₹4,000 crore in the company.
At a public meeting in Itchapuram as part of the Janmabhoomi Maa Vooru programme, he said a Mumbai-based trust had come forward to make payments to the victims after taking over the properties of the company.
“Many poor of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram had deposited their hard- earned money in the company. I will try my level best to settle the issue as early as possible.”
The Chief Minister promised pension to eligible persons in the families saying only A.P. was able to give pensions to more than 50 lakh people.
He asked people to join hands with the government in making the State Open Defecation Free by March, 2018 by constructing toilets in their homes immediately to achieve Swachh Andhra Pradesh targets.
He said all municipalities and corporations were already given the ODF status, and now it had to be replicated in villages.
He said the Union government was sanctioning only ₹7,200 per toilet, but the State government was sanctioning ₹7,800 as matching grant to help every family construct toilet with an estimation of ₹15,000.
Mr. Naidu told the Collectors of North Andhra and Rayalaseema districts that he would observe hunger strike if they failed to achieve the ODF targets.
“I will make surprise visits to villages and make the officials to construct toilets immediately. My aim is to create awareness among the people about self-respect. All these efforts needed people’s absolute support.”
He promised to generate wealth through garbage and ensure clean and green villages.
There would not be any hike in electricity charges in the near future, he said.
Chandranna Bima
Mr. Naidu also highlighted the Chandranna Bima scheme which provided up to ₹5 lakh insurance cover for 2.5 lakh people. He hoped to retain the support of 8.96 lakh DWACRA groups as the TDP government was taking several steps for women empowerment. Speaking about irrigation projects, Mr. Naidu promised Vamsadhara water up to Itchapuram, border town of AP-Odisha, for irrigation and drinking water. He hoped the people would extend support to his party in the next elections also.
Earlier, Ministers Kala Venkata Rao and K. Atchannaidu, and Srikakulam MP K. Rammohan Naidu thanked the Chief Minister for taking steps for the improvement of irrigation in the district. Collector K. Dhanunjaya Reddy spoke.