Naidu bats for development of tribal areas in Andhra

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced the sanction of Rs 2,564 crore for development of tribal pockets in the state.

He also announced a new pension scheme, under which tribal folk above the age of 50 years will be given pension.

Claiming that the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) government has been announcing welfare schemes even before the people's demand, Naidu said that his objective is to the improvement of livelihood of the tribal people in the state.

While saying that the tribal areas are blessed with rich natural resources and clean environment, Naidu called upon the tribal people to utilise locally available resources to multiply their income.

"We would develop Araku and Paderu as Health Tourism Centres and Horticulture Hub in the coming days," he said.

Naidu participated in the International Day of the World's Indigenous People (Adivasi Day) celebrations at Paderu in Visakhapatnam district and described Adivasis as "gems of the soil".

Earlier, Naidu had participated in the Grama Darshini programme at Adarimetta area of Visakhapatnam and interacted with the local people. Naidu said that TDP government has spent a good amount on providing basic amenities such as safe drinking water, health and few others.