100 Days of AP Governance

NCBN Garu’s Vision Andhra is already on the wheels making giant strides in Andhra

It has been over 100 days since Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu took oath. A lion once forcefully caged by the then-Jagan government is still fighting over the wrongdoings of the last government- as the recent controversy surrounding Tirumala Laddu proves that the battle to oust the autocratic government was not easy. In the recent development what Hon’ble AP CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu has stated is visibly clear and I am putting the same out in this report as well- “…first - purification, according to traditions. I am ordering an inquiry at the IGP level. Only those who have beliefs will be there in the management committee. Finally, we will prepare SOP for all the temples.”

However, as the people of Andhra Pradesh got both the bitter and the sweet of the last YSRCP government, let’s move on to some of the key highlights of the recent achievements in Andhra, which Hon’ble AP CM Nara Chandrababu Naidu Garu remarkably accomplished after he became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.?

At the very outset on the first day of his administration he had put out his signatures on five files as soon as he assumed office. The five key decisions were 1. Mega DSC Recruitment 2024 to fill a total of 16,347 posts- 2.Pension hike from ?3,000 per month to ?4,000 per month- 3.Initiation of skill census in the state. This futuristic census will be a great data asset for the government to help generate the promised number of jobs, i.e. 20 lakhs- 4. The AP government had resumed the ‘Anna Canteens’- 5. He had abolished the AP Land Titling Act of 2023, which limited the ownership rights of the land owners.

All decisions were relevant and required orderly implementation but some of them had a significant historical process by which we helped Sir reach the best conclusion in making such strong changes on his first day of administration- such as the repealing of the Land Titling Act, pension hike and also my personal favourite will be ‘Skill Census’ -the term which was coined during Nara Chandrababu Naidu Sir’s interview to Rajdeep Sardesai Sir with India Today The? Land Titling Act was initially passed in September 2022, and it was brought into the spotlight by NCBN Sir who branded it rightly so as the ‘Land Grabbing Act’. Sir's campaign was marked by right gestures, such as tearing up land revenue passbooks at public rallies, symbolically rejecting the government's authority over private lands. These actions resonated deeply with voters, stirring up the right chords of government overreach and loss of property. In layman's language, we remember talking to voters who significantly were affected by this act, as they didn’t have the relevant papers, and often wrong papers were given to them by the then YSRCP government which resulted in the loss of their land. The law was meant to grab the land of political opponents in the name of titling the land which was abolished on the very first day.

Pension Hike was an important political tool in the last AP elections, which was difficult to manoeuvre because it not only included people’s emotions but involved almost half the section of AP’s key voters who were heavily affected by wrong decisions by the then-Govt. Long queues were starting to show across everywhere in AP- there were no money in the system which could pay off the then pensions to the people of AP. The YSRCP govt. was cash-strapped and key meetings were held in the upper management which would reflect in the news and which finally concluded that the then YCP govt, somehow managed to gather funds just a few days ahead of going to polls which of course violated the election rules and regulations. Later as NCBN Sir took over the government along with JSP and BJP, the changes started to show, despite the challenging financial conditions, orders were issued on 13.06.2024 enhancing the social security pensions amount for senior citizens, widows, toddy tappers, weavers, fishermen, traditional cobblers, etc to Rs.4,000 per month, disabled person and multi deformity leprosy category to Rs.6,000 per month, incapacitated persons to Rs.10,000 per month, the enhanced scale of pensions was decided payable from July 2024 onwards on every first of the month. Eventually, the major changes were witnessed. As promised before the elections, the TDP-led NDA government hiked the pensions to Rs 4,000 from Rs 3,000. For July, Rs 7,000 was disbursed, which included the arrears of Rs 3,000 for the past three months. In the upcoming days, a total sum of Rs 4,408 crore will be distributed to 65.31 lakh beneficiaries across the State under the scheme. (IE report 2nd July 2024).

Let’s come to the most celebrated move which I feel was so significant for the people of AP and can turn some fortune for the State and take it to the next level. THE SKILL CENSUS.

So, what is SKILL CENSUS? - The Skill Census in Andhra Pradesh is a government-led initiative to assess the skills of the state's workforce and identify skill gaps in industries. The census is intended to help improve the employment prospects of the state's youth, and to provide data to guide the government and educational institutions in their policies.

In a recent conversation with one of the India Today reporters, IAS Saurabh Gaur, Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary of IT, said, “The Skill Census is one of the key initiatives our government has undertaken. As part of this census, we aim to cover the 3.5 crore working-age population in Andhra Pradesh, aged 15 to 59 years, across 1.8 crore households. The census will establish a baseline of the skills these individuals possess, including those acquired informally through their occupations. It will also capture the aspirations of the workforce, linking them with opportunities, skilling, and profile building. Furthermore, The census will be conducted in a bilingual format, so language won't be a barrier. After enumeration, participants will receive a Skill ID, derived from Aadhaar. They will have access to a skill profile, assessments, and lifelong skilling opportunities in both virtual and physical modes, as well as a job market portal."

Besides all this, we saw how Andhra was reeling under a massive crisis during the massive rain. The heavy rainfall across AP had a significant impact on people’s lives. NCBN Sir, with his undeterred will and dedication kept on standing by the side of the people of Andhra Pradesh. We have seen him walking in the knee-deep water and he has been constantly monitoring every movement in the dilapidating rain in the state of AP. Furthermore, NCBN Sir undertook an aerial survey by helicopter from Gannavaram Airport to Budameru flood-affected areas, inspected several villages, and also spoke to insurance companies and web-based service providers to offer services at a reduced rate to repair electronics and other equipment damaged in floods. A few days ago, at the end of the rain deluge, he shared his idea about The Green Revolution. After he attended the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor's Meet in Gandhinagar, he presented his views on renewable energy during the Chief Minister's Plenary, showcasing the potential of Andhra Pradesh. In one of his social media posts, he mentions, “Recently, unprecedented rainfall and subsequent flash floods upended many lives in Andhra Pradesh. These severe weather events and sweeping changes in climate are a grim reminder to policymakers that we need to devise climate-resilient and compliant solutions for taking the economy, and especially the energy sector, forward. We must start looking at RE not just as an energy source but as an engine of economic growth.

However, as we transition into a greener future, we must not lose sight of the immediate aspirations of our people, especially the youth. Therefore, Andhra Pradesh aims to create over 100,000 jobs in the sector by 2024. This will be achieved by attracting both domestic and international investment, particularly in high-tech areas like battery storage, hydrogen production, and decentralized grids.”

In light of everything else, we also cannot forget that, NCBN Sir has also thanked the Central government for their remarkable attention towards Polavaram. He took to Twitter and thanked the Central government by tweeting, “On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I thank the Hon'ble Prime Minister, @narendramodi Ji and Hon'ble Union Finance Minister, @nsitharamanJi, for recognizing the needs of our State and focusing on a Capital, Polavaram, industrial nodes and development of backward areas in AP in the union budget of FY 24-25. This support from the Centre will go a long way towards rebuilding Andhra Pradesh. I congratulate you on the presentation of this progressive and confidence-boosting budget. #APBackOnTrack.” He has also highlighted that the phase-1 works of the Polavaram project will be completed by the end of 2027.

The list can go on and on, and it can be a never-ending post, a man whom I was fortunate enough to see working right from 5 am and tirelessly in every campaign throughout the Andhra Pradesh elections is rightly serving the throne in Andhra Pradesh. I have seen this man simply tireless towards his duty, graciously addicted to work, and has given his soul in working towards the betterment of Andhra. This article will always remain as a written testament to Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s initial days of work and I am sure there are many more achievements which are yet to come making Andhra one of the leading state in India.

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