Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu released the party’s manifesto in Amaravati on Saturday. The manifesto is a combination of welfare schemes and development projects with which Naidu is hoping to get re-elected in the elections scheduled for April 11.
In the manifesto titled Mee Bavishyatthu Naa Baadhyatha (Your future is my responsibility), Naidu stated that people of the state were badly affected due to irrational bifurcation of the state, while adding that the party's 2014 manifesto had been fulfilled along with many other schemes which were unwritten in the manifesto.
Reconstructing the state from scratch
“By knowing the people's mandate, TDP initiated measures to reconstruct the state by utilising past experience. Though there is Rs 16,000 crore revenue deficit and several problems due to non-cooperation from the Union government, we managed to pool the funds for the state’s welfare and development,” Naidu stated.
Agriculture
For the agriculture sector, the TDP has promised that financial assistance scheme ‘Annadhata Sukheebhava’ will be extended to tenant farmers along with free crop insurance under which each farmer will get Rs 15,000.
The party also announced free power supply for 12 hours for irrigation purposes adding that they will set up a market intervention fund with Rs 5,000 crore in order to stabilise the crop prices.
Tribal farmers in scheduled areas will be given input subsidy through Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA).
Rythu Seva Kendras to market the produced crops in each mandal were also promised.
“The state will be facilitated to become a Horticulture hub by expanding horticulture crops to 1 crore acres. At least 50 lakh acres will be provided drip and sprinkler irrigation facility. Cold storage units, ripening chambers, processing units, pack houses, Fishery University and Fishery Polytechnics College will be set up in the state,” the TDP said.
It assured that subsidy would be given for providing cold storage facility for fishing communities. Goat-sheep processing units will be set up. MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) processing units will be set up at each constituency level.
Irrigation
TDP aims to bring under cultivation as much as 2 crore acres of land. It aims to complete Polavaram project by December 2019 and provide water to 40 lakh acres of land besides producing 960 MGW power.
Women Empowerment
'Pasupu Kumkuma' cash transfer scheme will be continued and each of the DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) women will be given smart phones, the party said in its manifesto.
Under Pasupu Kumkuma, each woman will get Rs 10,000 in three phases. Increase of interest-free loans from Rs 5 lakh to 10 lakh to self-help groups.
The TDP also said that if voted to power, it would bring in 33% reservation to women in the legislature.
Construction of pukka buildings for 15,358 anganwadi centres.
“As part of poverty eradication drive, pension will be increased from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000, life Insurance will be increased to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 5 lakh. Pension eligibility age will be brought down to 60 years from 65,” the TDP said.
Anna canteens to be established in mandal headquarters and major Gram panchayats while marriage assistance for economically weaker sections will be increased to Rs 1 lakh, the party added.
SC/ST Welfare
The TDP said that 100 residential schools for SCs and 50 for STs would be set up across the state and promised extension of SC/ST sub plan till 2033.
Besides agreeing to provide scholarship facility for SC/ST students to study abroad, it also said that Ambedkar Study Circles would be set up in remaining 7 districts and libraries in all districts. It also promised to set up a Madiga Community Corporation.
Backward Classes Welfare
“Fee reimbursements to all poor students from weaker sections. Setting up 200 BC Welfare Residential Schools across the state. Setting up of Corporation for Kalinga Komati community for their welfare. As part of self-employment scheme, the government will give loans to unemployed youths of BC communities with 25% subsidy,” the TDP said.
It also said that it would sanction a loan of around Rs 5 lakhto BCs who want to modernise their business (like modern barber shop, mechanised dry cleaning units, etc.), besides Rs 4,000 compensatory income support to each weaver per year.
For the Kapu community, the TDP promised to implement 5% reservation and take necessary steps for welfare of the community.
Welfare of Upper Castes
“Taking all measures for the welfare and development of upper caste poor in Education and Healthcare. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishya Corporations will be given adequate funds. Giving support for higher education through the EBC (economically backward class) corporation,” the manifesto stated.
Minority welfare
Besides giving imams a monthly compensation of Rs 7,000, the Naidu government has promised to implement Urdu as a second language if voted back into power. It also assured that it would set up Urdu primary and secondary schools wherever there is high population of Muslims. Christian Bhavans will also be constructed in every district.
“Increase of funds for Jerusalem pilgrimage, taking up fight with Centre to recognise Dalit Christians as Scheduled Caste,” the TDP said in its list of priorities.
“Physically Handicapped / Differently abled persons will be given tricycles and special hostels across the state. Compensatory subsidy in RTC bus journeys. Providing skill development training for differently-abled people,” the party added.
Youth Planning
The TDP promised to set up an Innovation and Member Capital Fund with Rs 100 crore. It also said it would give loans to youth who want to pursue entrepreneurship with subsidy, adding that interest on loans below Rs 10 lakh will be borne by the government.
Housing
In the coming five years, all the homeless in urban and rural areas to be given housing facility. For 2019-2020, Rs 500 crore has already been released for land acquisition for the project, the TDP said.
Employment
“Rs 15.48 crore investments are underway to the state through which as many as 30 lakh jobs will be generated. Development of infrastructure in Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor, construction of roads, providing water along with construction of Kurnool Bengaluru - Kurnool Chennai highway. Generating 5.5 lakh jobs in IT and Electronics sector across the state,” the party manifesto stated.
It also promised to create one lakh jobs by developing the tourism sector, which included the development of Amaravati and Nagarjun Sagar into tourism spots.
“Setting up infrastructure which enables the construction of film studios in Visakhapatnam. Setting up a Film and TV institute in Amaravati after providing required land. Setting up 4 four solar power projects with capacity of 4000 MGW in the states and one 160 MGW hydel power project in Anantapur,” the TDP added.
Education
The TDP has announced that all schools will have computer labs.
If voted to power, the government has promised to waive off all education loans taken till Feb 28, 2019. It also said it would take necessary steps to make at least 85% institutes NAAC accredited.
The manifesto says that Government General hospitals including SVIMS Tirupati, VIMS -Visakhapatnam, GGH GUNtur, Vijayawada, Kurnool will be upgraded to international standards.
“Taking necessary steps to make the state TB free. Setting up trauma care centres every 50 km along national highways. The state is having only 1,725 medical PG seats while there are 3,800 medical graduate seats. Taking measures to increase the medical PG seats accordingly. Increase in stipend to Medical PG students to Rs 50,000. Construction of a medical college for each parliamentary constituency,” the TDP said.