Nandyal, April 8 : Asserting that poverty should not deprive a child from pursuing higher education, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has credited Rs 1,024 crore in the bank accounts of mothers of 10,68,150 students under second installment of ‘Jagananna Vasathi Deevena’ for the academic year 2021-22. Addressing the public gathering later at SPG Grounds here on Friday, the Chief Minister said that only education has the power to change the world, eradicate poverty and backwardness of the society, which is why no child has to be deprived of education. In order to provide quality education for the students and to ease the financial burden on parents, the government has come up with Vidya Deevena reimbursing the college fees and Vasathi Deevena for boarding and hostel fees to the students, he said. Affirming that Vasathi Deevena would benefit nearly 10.68 lakh students in the State, Reddy said that Rs 3,329 crore was spent alone on the scheme since the formation of YSRCP government and Rs 6,969 crore towards Vidya Deevena, besides clearing pending dues of Rs 1,778 crore in TDP rule. He revealed that the Gross Enrolment Ratio in colleges has increased to 35.2 percent in the state, registering a growth of 8.64 percent against the National growth of 3 percent. The Chief Minister said that the previous TDP government had only spent Rs 500 crore on midday meals, while at present healthy, nutritious, and tasty meals are being provided at an expenditure of Rs 1,990 crore. Referring to the malicious reports carried by a section of media, he stated that they were unable to see the reforms and thus deliberately took up false campaigning to defame the government. Further, Reddy promised to expand Autonagar Marketing Centre for Chilli Crops, and construct a 12 km road to develop a ring road in Nandyal as sought by the local leaders. DP CS1642