Andhra economy projected to grow by over 16pc: Guv

Vijayawada, March 7 : Governor Biswa Buhsan Harichandan on Monday said the Jagan Mohan Reddy government has so far transferred an amount Rs 1,32,126 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the eligible beneficiaries under various welfare schemes, and Andhra Pradesh’s economic growth will be in double-digits. Harichandan was delivering the customary address to the joint sitting of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council during the Eighth session of the 15th Legislative Assembly Budget Sessions. The Governor addressed both the Houses in person for the first time and was greeted by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and Assembly Speaker Tammiennei Sitharam. The session got off to a noisy start with the Opposition Telugu Desam Party members disrupting the Governor’s address. The TDP members rose to their feet as soon as the Governor started his address, and raised slogans of ‘Governor, go back’ and attempted to disrupt his speech. The TDP members staged a walkout of the session mid-way. The Governor in his address stated that the country and the State were in a difficult situation for the last two years due to the pandemic. He hailed the government employees as the pillars of the government and mentioned that the the age limit for employees was raised from 60 to 62 years. Stating that the Andhra Pradesh government is committed towards the welfare of all and implementing various welcome schemes for them, he said that the state’s economy was projected to grow at 16.82 percent, adding that the newly formed districts would be functional from this Telugu New Year day Ugadi. He also spoke about the various welfare schemes promulgated by the AP government. In the education sector, Rs 13,023 crore was allocated to 44.5 lakh mothers under the Amma Vodi scheme. Rs 2,304 crore has been credited to 18.77 lakh students under Jaganna Vasathi Deevena. Apart from this, 16 new medical colleges have been proposed in the state. DP ING