Page 5 - Andhra Pradesh Government

Andhra liquor scam: Kickbacks laundered through employees, say police

A chargesheet filed by the Andhra Pradesh police in connection with the alleged Rs 3,500-crore liquor scam in a local court alleges that the kickbacks were systematically laundered through low-profile individuals, such as office boys or employees. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged liquor scam filed a supplementary chargesheet on Monday. "During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the accused have systematically laundered the kickback amount with the help of low-profile individuals who were working as office boys or employees in the companies owned by the accused," officials said quoting the chargesheet. "Such employees and individuals acted as couriers and mules for depositing illicit cash into a network of bank accounts linked to the syndicate," they added. This pattern of cash layering and circulation demonstrates a deliberate attempt to conceal the origin of crime proceeds, constituting a classic case of structured money laundering and ...

Andhra govt to launch free bus travel for women from Aug 15: Minister

Andhra Pradesh Minister K Parthasarathy on Wednesday announced that the state government's flagship free bus travel scheme for women, a key poll promise, will be launched across the state on August 15. The scheme, titled 'Stree Shakti' (Women's Power), is expected to cost Rs 1,942 crore annuallyapproximately Rs 162 crore per monthand aims to empower women by improving access to education, employment, and mobility. "I'm happy to share that free bus travel for women will commence on August 15," said the State Information and Public Relations Minister, adding that the initiative is aimed at empowering women and enhancing their access to opportunities in education, employment, and other sectors. Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Parthasarathy dismissed reports suggesting the scheme would be limited to select districts. "There were reports that the scheme would be restricted to certain areas, but it ha

Andhra Pradesh govt inks tourism project deals worth ₹500 crore

Deals on tourism projects worth Rs 500 crore were inked in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at Andhra Pradesh Tourism Investors Programme at Gandikota Fort in Kadapa district on Friday. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Corporation inked these deals with Ease My Trip, Hilton Hotels and others for tourism projects at various locations. "These agreements have been inked in the presence of the CM to set up tourism projects at various places in the state. Ease my Trip, Hilton Hotels and several other organisations inked deals worth Rs 500 crore with Andhra Pradesh Tourism Corporation," said an official press release. Besides building hotels, these deals are also aimed at setting up facilities for adventure sports, kayaking, jet skiing and others at Gandikota, Srisailam, Mantralayam, Tirupati and other places. Naidu virtually laid the foundation for a string of tourism projects at Gandikota, Borra Caves, Ahobilam, Nagarjuna Sagar and others under Central Government schemes such a

Andhra Pradesh govt cancels two Adani projects at company's request

AGEL wrote to the government to cancel these projects due to boundary disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, which it termed 'local issues'

YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy sent to judicial custody till August 1 in liquor scam

YSRCP Lok Sabha member PV Midhun Reddy who has been arrested in the alleged 3,500 crore liquor scam case was remanded to judicial custody until August 1. He was produced before Vijayawada ACB court today, said a police official. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested Reddy on Saturday in the alleged liquor scam case involving liquor policy during the previous YSRCP regime. Earlier this morning, SIT officials took Mithun Reddy to a government hospital in Vijayawada, where doctors conducted medical examination. "The medical team found no health complications; hence, he was presented before the court as per legal protocol," the police official told PTI. The SIT probing the alleged liquor scam grilled Midhun Reddy for several hours on Saturday and followed it up with his arrest at around 7:30 pm in Vijayawada. YSRCP leaders called the arrest as targeting of opposition voice. Sources in the party told PTI, "We have vowed to fight back with stronger determination, TDP-led ND

Naidu unveils vision to make Andhra Pradesh India's top state by 2047

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has released 'Towards Swarna (golden) Andhra Pradesh@2047', a detailed blueprint for the state's economic development, in New Delhi. This report, prepared by the Taskforce for Economic Development in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), outlines a transformative vision to position Andhra Pradesh as India's leading state by 2047. "By 2047, Andhra Pradesh will be the best state in India, meeting international standards, and we are determined to make it happen," he said, addressing captains of industry in the national capital while releasing the blueprint on Thursday. By 2047, Naidu said the southern state aims to achieve a GSDP of USD 2.4 trillion, log exports worth USD 450 billion and achieve many other ambitious targets. Showcasing Andhra Pradesh, the CM said the state has strong and dynamic human resources, fertile land rich in agricultural commodities, especially horticulture, aquaculture, and commercial crops. On the

Aerospace turf war: Andhra, Karnataka lock horns to attract investment

States clash after Karnataka scraps farmland plan; Andhra pitches 8,000 acres

Nara Lokesh invites aerospace firms to Andhra after Karnataka snub

Karnataka withdrew plans to acquire 1,777 acres of farmland in Devanahalli for an aerospace park; Andhra minister Nara Lokesh offers industry to consider state's ready land, policy incentives

With space cities, Andhra Pradesh sets course for Rs 25K cr inflows

Two space cities planned in Lepakshi and Tirupati, spanning 33,000 acres, to attract global investments and align with Centre's Rs 1.5 trillion space sector roadmap

Andhra Pradesh cuts liquor prices, tipplers save ₹116 crore every month

Liquor consumers in Andhra Pradesh are collectively saving nearly Rs 116 crore per month, following a reduction in alcohol prices from Rs 10 to Rs 100 per bottle, the first such cut in the state. During a review meeting with officials, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu instructed them to ensure transparency in the liquor policy, maintain affordable prices, and protect public health. He also stressed the need to prevent the sale of fake or substandard liquor brands, according to an official release on Monday. Naidu directed officials to allow only national and international quality brands into the state, and to prohibit the sale of non-duty paid, illicit, or harmful liquor. Officials informed the CM that the new liquor policy has boosted state revenue, brought back trade lost during the previous YSRCP regime, eliminated fake brands, and contributed to improved public health by helping prevent addiction among economically weaker families. Liquor prices have decreased for the first .

Andhra to unveil policy to tackle declining fertility, says CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that the state government will soon unveil a new policy framework to address declining fertility rates and demographic imbalance. Speaking at the Amaravati Summit on World Population Day on Friday, Naidu emphasised that population should be treated as the state's greatest economic strength, not a burden. "Population is the nation's strongest economic asset. A robust policy on population growth will be introduced soon," said Naidu, addressing the summit. He observed that rising expenses are deterring young couples from having children, while Parliament seats may increase in the future, southern states could see reduced representation. The CM recalled his earlier efforts promoting family planning and noted that today's demographic trends call for a shift in focus from control to management of population growth. "Before 2004, as CM, I incentivised family planning. We even brought a law disqualifying those with more than two .

Andhra to unveil AI-based surveillance system to tackle mosquito menace

Andhra Pradesh to launch AI-powered Smart Mosquito Surveillance System across 66 locations using drones, sensors and data-led targeting to combat vector outbreaks

Andhra unveils quantum valley in Amaravati, eyes $1 bn investment by 2029

The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday approved the Amaravati Quantum Valley Declaration, which will guide the state's efforts to advance quantum technologies and build a vibrant innovation ecosystem, including attracting USD 1 billion in investments by January 1, 2029. The declaration follows deliberations held during the recent Quantum Valley Workshop in Vijayawada. "The Government hereby approves the Amaravati Quantum Valley Declaration. This shall serve as a guiding framework for the state's efforts to advance quantum technologies and nurture a vibrant innovation ecosystem," said Bhaskar Katamneni, Secretary to the Government, in a GO. The declaration outlines shared commitments, a long-term vision, and strategic priorities for quantum research, innovation, talent development, infrastructure creation, and international partnerships. It reflects Andhra Pradesh's ambition to transform Amaravati into a globally competitive hub for quantum science and technology. The workshop hos

Jagan claims collapse of law and order in Andhra, demands President's rule

YSRCP chief and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday advocated the imposition of President's Rule in the state, alleging a total breakdown of law and order under the TDP-led NDA government. He alleged that YSRCP leaders and activists were being targeted through false cases, "illegal" arrests, and an "organised campaign of political harassment". "When there is no protection to politicians and citizens, law and order is deteriorating, and the Constitution is being violated, then why shouldn't President's rule be imposed?" Reddy posed on X. He said the recent attack on Dalit sarpanch Nagamalleswar Rao of Mannava village in Guntur district in broad daylight shows the "lawlessness" in the state and the video of that incident depicts the gravity of the situation. The former chief minister alleged that YSRCP workers were being "assaulted" for defying the ruling TDP and questioned whether people are truly safe under the Chandrababu Naidu government. Meanwhi

Cognizant to invest ₹1,500 cr in Andhra, pledges to create 8,000 jobs

Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday said that IT major Cognizant will set up a major campus here with an over Rs 1,500 crore investment, creating 8,000 jobs in three phases on a 22-acre site at Kapuluppada IT Hills. Lokesh said the government approved the project to position Andhra Pradesh as a global technology hub and promote digital skilling in tier-2 cities. "We welcome Cognizant to Vizag. This investment will accelerate regional growth and future-ready workforce development," said Lokesh in a release. Cognizant's presence is expected to boost the regional digital economy, enhance tech skills, and benefit from Andhra Pradesh's infrastructure, business-friendly policies, and IT and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) sectors support, said the minister. Cognizant will begin operations by early 2026 from a temporary facility for 800 staff until Phase-I of the permanent campus is ready by early 2029, said the release. "We are proud t

Jagan slams Andhra govt for failing to support students, unemployed youth

YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has lashed out at the ruling TDP-led coalition government, accusing it of betraying youth and students. Hailing the statewide 'Yuvatha Poru (youth struggle)' protest led by his party on Monday against the alleged unfulfillment of giving unemployment allowances, Reddy on Tuesday said that the government has failed to honour its promises, such as jobs and education support. "The lathi-charge on students in Narasaraopet exposed the government's violent, intolerant nature," the former chief minister said in a post on 'X', referring to police dispersing the protesters in Narasaraopeta city in Palnadu district. The former CM questioned why students were allegedly assaulted for simply submitting representations and asking for the implementation of the Rs 3,000 monthly unemployment allowance as promised by the TDP during the election campaign. Reddy questioned how many of the 1.25 crore unemployed youth in the state received the allowance. The YSRCP suprem

Raymond to invest ₹1,200 cr in Andhra; garments, auto, aerospace in focus

Raymond's ₹1,200 crore investment in Andhra targets garments, auto parts, and aerospace as part of the state's new industrial drive alongside ₹28,546 crore in SIPB approvals

Ex-Andhra CM Jagan Reddy named as accused after man run over by convoy

After reviewing video and circumstantial evidence, police added culpable homicide and abetment charges in the Palnadu road death involving Jagan Mohan Reddy's vehicle

Andhra clears ₹28,546 cr investments; Adani Group to spend ₹18,910 cr

IT company Cognizant will invest almost ₹1,583 crore to set up a campus in Visakhapatnam

Cognizant gets 21-acre plot in Andhra for 99 paise to build IT campus

The land will be used for a ₹1,582.98-crore IT campus that Cognizant will build in Visakhapatnam, and which is expected to create about 8,000 jobs over a period of eight years