Council Passes Thanksgiving Motion

The state Legislative Council, on Monday, passed the Thanksgiving Motion on the Governor's address.

In reply to the debate on the Thanksgiving Motion, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said that his government was bound to work for the development and welfare of all regions and individuals in the state.

Welfare activities have been taken up across the State, irrespective of region, he said.

The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh being an agri-based economy, agriculture and other allied sectors like irrigation were given top priority.

He said that the government was spending about Rs. 30,000 crore to provide free power and crop loans, and to construct godowns with a capacity of 70 lakh metric tonnes.

He also listed out various schemes being implemented by the state government for the welfare of farmers and the agriculture sector.

Kiran Kumar Reddy said that along with developmental activities, the government was striving hard to eradicate unemployment from the state.

Under Rajiv Yuva Kiranulu, training would be imparted to unemployed youth, to provide nearly 15 lakh jobs in the private sector in the next 3 years, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the government was paying special attention to the educational and financial development of minorities.

The annual budget for minorities has been enhanced by 62%, from Rs. 350 crore last year to Rs. 489 crore this year, he said. About 1.5 lakh students are provided with scholarships, and a Study Centre for minorities' students would soon come up near Shamshabad airport, he added.

He said that the question papers for the recruitment exams would also be made available in Urdu.

Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the power sector would be strengthened. Efforts were being made to get "national project" status for Pranahita Chevella and Polavaram projects, he added.

After the Chief Minister's speech, the House passed a resolution accepting the Governor's address. (INN)