The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved continuation of the YSR Sunna Vaddi scheme for the third year in a row.
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At a press conference on Thursday, Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani) said that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would transfer ₹1,259 crore into the accounts of the members of the DWCRA groups on April 22 benefiting 98 lakh women. The government negotiated with the bankers and could bring down the interest rate from 12-13% to 8-9%. With this, the DWCRA group members would be benefited in the initial stage and the State government in the next stage as the government would reimburse the interest paid by them. The number of women in the DWCRA groups rose from 81.52 lakh to 98 lakh due to the steps taken by the government. The defunct groups were revived and an additional loan of ₹4,000 crore was given, he said.
Two new revenue divisions
Mr. Perni Nani said that two revenue divisions — Pulivendula in Kadapa and Kothapeta in East Godavari district — would be created. Eight mandals — Chakrayapeta, Vempalle, Simhadripuram, Lingala, Pulivendula, Vemula, Thonduru, and Verapunayanipalle — would be part of the Pulivendula revenue division and seven mandals — Atreyapuram, Alamuru, Ravulapalem, Kothapeta, P. Gannavaram, Ambajipeta and Ayinavilli —would be part of the Kothapeta revenue division, he said. Twelve police sub-divisions and 16 police circles would also be created across the State.
The Minister said that the Cabinet had cleared a proposal to promote cultivation and consumption of millets in the State. A step in that direction, the Millet Mission 2022-23 to 2026-27, would be implemented in the State. The farmers would be benefited as they could sell their produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) while consumers will benefit from the high nutrition value of millets, he added.