Social justice has become a reality in Andhra Pradesh: Jagan

Vijayawada, Aug 15: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has asserted that social justice has become a reality in the state besides empowerment of weaker sections and implementation of welfare measures with transparency.

In his Independence Day address at the IGM Stadium here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister listed out welfare and development achievements of the government.

After hoisting the national flag and taking salute, he said that the

government has been striving to usher in 'Grama Swaraj' visualised by Mahatma Gandhi by changing the face of agriculture, industry and services.

Andhra Pradesh is the only state that has brought in major changes in the rural administrative system through 15,000 village and ward secretariats, digital libraries, RBKs and the volunteer system to extend quick civic services to the people in full transparency, he said.

The changes have helped reverse the decades-old corrupt administrative system. 

The government had transferred Rs 2,31,000 crore through DBT in the last 50 months in full transparency, he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government has also displayed its commitment to decentralisation of administration by increasing the number of districts to 26 from 13 to fulfill the wishes of three regions of the state.

Lashing out at the opposition parties, the Chief Minister said that the government has been waging a war on untouchability which has assumed new garb.

"Opposition to introduction of English medium in schools, allotment of house sites, and construction of houses for the poor is also untouchability. The war will continue till justice is done," he said

Implementation of a slew of welfare schemes as part of Navaratnalu has proved that social justice could be a reality. The Chief Minister listed out the changes brought in Andhra Pradesh in six sectors after YSRCP came to power.

"Agriculture has been thriving with the introduction of 10,778 RBKs which have been handholding the farmers from purchasing seeds to marketing their agricultural produce. Facilities of free crop insurance, e-crop, 9-hour quality power to farmers during day time, resurvey of lands after 100 years, bestowing ownership of assigned lands and resolution of dotted lands' issues besides completing irrigation projects on priority basis had redefined agriculture in the state.

"Educational sector is being revolutionized with implementation of Amma Vodi, Nadu-Nedu, Vidya deevena, Vasathi Deevena and Videshi Vidya Deevena, distribution of bi-lingual textbooks, TOEFL training for students of class 3, digitization of class rooms from class 6 and plans to introduce IB-standard curriculum and AI in higher education. These changes will help our students become globally competitive," he added.

The Chief Minister stated that Medical and health sector is upbeat with 17 new medical colleges coming up, recruitment of 53,126 new medical staff including all  specialist  doctor posts, availability of 104 and 108 ambulances in all Mandals,  strengthening of preventive health care with 10,032 village health clinics serving the rural people and 3,255 procedures being brought under the YSR Aarogyasri.

Multiple programmes like Kalyana Mastu-Shadi Tohfa, YSR Aasara, Kapu Nestham, EBC Nestham, distribution of 30 lakh house site pattas with 22 lakh houses under construction, Disha App and Disha police stations besides women police manning the village and ward secretariats  have resulted in social and economic empowerment of women, he averred.

The Chief Minister said that AP is the only state which has enacted law to reserve 50 per cent of the nominated posts and contracts to SCs, STs, BCs and minorities for rendering social justice to the weaker sections.

On the industrial front also, the State is marching ahead by standing first in the country in the ease of doing business (EoDB), attracting Rs 13,42,000 crore investments in the global investors meet at Visakhapatnam, he said, adding that 127 heavy industries were established in Andhra Pradersh in the last four years with Rs 67,196 crore investment providing employment to 84,607 people.

The Chief Minister gave away police medals to several IPS and other police officers for their meritorious services