Women's Day Gift from CM YS Jagan

Pisinikada, (Anakapalle Dist), March 7:

Introduction and Financial Assistance Announcement:

On the eve of International Women's Day, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy released Rs. 5060.49 crore under YSR Cheyutha towards financial assistance for the fourth consecutive year, benefiting 26,98,931 poor women aged 45 to 60 belonging to SC, ST, BC, and minorities. The amount would be directly credited into their bank accounts across the State over a period of 14 days from March 7.

Government's Efforts for Women's Empowerment:

Addressing a huge public meeting before releasing the amount with the click of a button here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh is the only state that has been implementing unique welfare programs like YSR Cheyutha and Aasara for the empowerment of women. Calling upon the people to see the difference between the TDP and YSRCP Governments, he said that the women-friendly Government took several measures for the social, political, and economic empowerment of women in the last 58 months.

Critique of Opposition and Contrast with YSRCP's Initiatives:

YS Jagan recalled how TDP president Chandrababu Naidu and his foster son Pawan Kalyan cheated people by throwing the election manifesto into the dustbin after making promises in the name of Maha Lakshmi, Kuteera Lakshmi, and Pandanti Bidda schemes before the 2014 elections. The Chief Minister said that the Naidu-foster son duo circulated signed manifesto copies door-to-door promising Rs. 14,205 crore loan waiver to self-help groups, subsidy on 12 cylinders per year at Rs. 100 each, creation of women protection force, Rs. 25,000 deposit on the birth of a girl child in the name of Maha Lakshmi scheme, belt shops dissolution, Rs. 10,000 assistance under Pandanti Bidda scheme, cycles for school-going girls, and smartphones for women.

Government's Track Record and Initiatives:

However, after coming to power in 2014, they threw away the manifesto into the dustbin after naming the schemes after Goddess Maha Lakshmi, he said, cautioning people that the duo is now approaching voters in the name of Maha Sakti and other schemes. Chandrababu, who personifies deception, has no respect even for Goddess Maha Lakshmi, so much so that he is cheating people in the name of the Goddess, he said. Unlike Chandrababu Naidu, who had enhanced social pensions two months ahead of the elections, who never thought of women’s empowerment, and who had made 143 promises to BCs but never implemented them, the present Government started implementing various welfare schemes for making women economically self-sufficient soon after coming to power, he said.

Impact and Benefits of Government Programs:

The Government has been extending financial assistance of Rs. 18,750 each every year under YSR Cheyutha, and so far, it has transparently disbursed a whopping Rs. 19,189.60 crore benefiting 33,14,916 poor women who received a total of Rs. 75,000 each, he said. The YSR Cheyutha beneficiaries have also received another Rs. 29,588 crore through other schemes of Navaratnalu and totally benefitted to the tune of Rs. 56,188 crore, he said.

Economic Empowerment Statistics and Additional Government Programs:

While the TDP has no history of doing anything for the sake of women, he said that the Government’s efforts in the last 58 months have resulted in 1,69,000 women launching Kirana shops, 85,630 women launching cloth shops, 3,80,466 women purchasing buffaloes and cows, 134,514 women owning goats, 88,923 women doing food products business, 3,98,422 women selling agricultural-related products, and 2,59,997 women running other businesses. Schemes like Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, Vasathi Deevena, YSR Aasara, YSR Sunna Vaddi, Kapu Nestham, and EBC Nestham have also helped women to a great extent, he said, pointing out that the loan recovery rate of self-help groups now stands at 99.83 percent.

Government's Focus on Political Empowerment and Infrastructure Development:

While TDP never thought of political empowerment of women, this Government gave 50 per cent of the nominated posts to women through a specially made Act besides appointing women police at the village and ward secretariats and filling 50 per cent of the posts with women, he said, outlining that the Disha App, introduced for the safety of women, was downloaded by 1.3 crore women. The Government has also distributed 31 lakh house site pattas to women and 22 lakh houses are under construction, he said, adding this is the only Government that has disbursed Rs. 2,65,000 crore through DBT welfare schemes and is seeking votes based on its performance.

Appeal to the People and Government's Commitment to Development:

CM Jagan appealed to people to see the difference between Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP which has no political credibility and YSRCP which has fulfilled 99 percent of its election promises. “Don’t be misled by the false and impracticable promises of Naidu and his foster son. You should work as my army and star campaigners and bring victory to YSRCP if you believe you have benefited from the welfare schemes,” the Chief Minister urged people, adding that Jagan should continue to overhaul the rotten system completely and continue the welfare agenda.

Response to Development Works Request:

In response to the appeal of Industries and IT Minister G. Amarnath, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. 21 crore for development works.