The AP government is going to announce important decisions on its welfare schemes in a bid to fulfill its poll election promises and stemming rising criticism. With the elections for Jammili soon, leaders from the ruling coalition will pressurise for early decisions that will further consolidate the government’s initiatives. Therefore, the next cabinet meeting, which is scheduled on the 20th of this month, will be crucial in passing several important policies.
The cabinet meeting, originally set for today, has been postponed due to the passing of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu’s brother. Now, the meeting will focus on a range of crucial issues, including new policy proposals, investment strategies, and the approval of upcoming bills for the state assembly. The cabinet will also review the progress of the government’s “Super Six” welfare promises, which were central to its election campaign.
Several of these welfare initiatives are already underway, such as the free gas cylinder scheme and the Rs. 20,000 allocation for farmers under the Rythu Bharosa program. However, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has raised concerns over the current budget allocation, claiming that it may not be sufficient to fully implement these schemes. In response, the government is considering crediting Rs. 20,000 directly into farmers’ accounts via the Annadata Sukhibhava program starting in January. Additionally, the government is moving forward with plans to offer free bus travel for women, set to roll out from Sankranti.
The ongoing volunteer program remains an area of concern, with volunteers reporting that they have not been assigned duties or compensated for the last five months. With no financial provisions made in the budget for these volunteers, protests have erupted across the state. In response, the government is contemplating a solution that involves offering skill development training to volunteers and utilizing their services in both rural and urban settings. The cabinet will also discuss the implementation challenges of the Amma Vandanam scheme, especially regarding budget constraints. As discussions continue, it is expected that the government will push forward with two major welfare programs, set to launch around the Sankranti festival, with final decisions made during the cabinet meeting on the 20th.
This upcoming cabinet meeting is set to be a crucial moment for the Andhra Pradesh government as it takes steps to fulfill its commitments and ensure the successful rollout of key welfare schemes.
