Page 6 - Andhra Pradesh Government

Andhra launches free JEE, NEET coaching to over 100K govt school students

Andhra Pradesh Human Resource Minister Nara Lokesh on Sunday launched a state-wide initiative to provide free JEE and NEET coaching to the students of government junior colleges. Over 1 lakh students from 1,355 government junior colleges will receive specially designed material readied by expert faculty to help prepare for these national-level exams. "This initiative gives every Andhra student a fair chance to dream big and achieve bigger," said Lokesh in a press release, emphasising equality and academic opportunity for all. The NDA coalition government has extended college hours till 5 pm and allotted two hours daily for focused coaching using new, high-quality study material. Junior lecturers have been trained to deliver the content effectively, ensuring uniform teaching quality across colleges regardless of location or background, said the press release. Weekly tests, regular progress reviews, and performance tracking will be implemented. Lokesh said this training is a "first

ED restores Rs 1,000-cr worth assets to Andhra govt to help Ponzi victims

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has achieved finality in restoring assets worth a total Rs 7,000 crore, duped from investors through an alleged Ponzi scheme, to the Andhra Pradesh government for further restitution to the victims of the Agri Gold "fraud". The federal probe agency initiated this process in February as it restored properties worth Rs 3,339 crore (present market value of more than Rs 6,000 crore). The ED has now done the same and restituted assets worth Rs 611 c rore (current market value of over Rs 1,000 crore), it said. The case pertains to Agri Gold group of companies which is alleged to have collected deposits from around 19 lakh customers (32 lakh account holders) in the name of real estate investment with a promise of "high returns" or a residential plot, as per the agency. The Hyderabad-based zonal office of the ED had in May filed a restitution application under Section 8(8) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 before a special .

Andhra Govt to transfer Rs 15,000 per student to mothers starting June 12

Talliki Vandanam scheme promises to disburse Rs 15,000 per student annually as part of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's election promise

Andhra increases maximum working hours from 9 to 10 to attract investments

The TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to raise the maximum working hours from nine to 10 per day as part of ease of doing business and attracting investors. The Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said that it has been decided to amend labour laws to make them 'favourable' to workers and investors. CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna criticised the move and said NDA governments at the Centre and state are pursuing 'anti worker' policies. "Section 54 which allows maximum nine hours of work a day has now been raised to 10 hours per day. Under Section 55 there used to be one hour rest for five hours (work) now that has been changed to six hours," said Parthasarathy recently, elaborating on the decisions made by the cabinet to amend labour laws. Earlier, Parthasarathy noted that overtime was allowed only up to 75 hours which now has been extended up to 144 hours per quarter. "Because of this (amendments to labour laws), investors in ...

Andhra Pradesh government and Nvidia sign MoU to power AI University

10,000 students to be skilled, 500 startups to benefit under landmark initiative

11 years of Telangana: Statehood day celebrations, traffic advisory out

Telangana formation day is celebrated annually on June 2. This year marks the state's 11th anniversary. The Hyderabad Traffic Police have issued an advisory ahead of the celebrations and Parade

Two firms to set up industrial units in Kuppam, create 8K jobs: Andhra CM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said two companies were allotted land here in Chittoor district to establish industrial units, which will create up to 8,000 jobs. The Chief Minister noted that Shreeja Milk Producer Organisation will set up a dairy and animal feed processing unit while Mother Dairy will set up a fruit pulp processing unit. "Met representatives from the Shreeja Milk Producer Organisation and Mother Dairy, in Kuppam. We discussed their transformative investment plans to achieve Zero Poverty, which aligns with our vision for Swarna Andhra. In line with this vision, the companies have been allotted land to establish industrial units in Kuppam," said Naidu in a post on 'X'. According to the CM, these initiatives aim to strengthen the rural economy by directly procuring milk and horticultural produce from local farmers to enhance their income. These investments are part of a broader agreement previously signed with the Kuppam Area Development .

With Jupiter in its orbit, Andhra Pradesh emerges as India's solar hub

State government attracts Jupiter Renewables' Rs 2,700-cr investment for solar manufacturing and is in talks with Tata Power, Waaree, and Vikram Solar

Andhra CM Naidu seeks Centre's support for solar and defence projects

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met three Union ministers here and sought the Centre's support for the state's renewable energy initiatives, a defence manufacturing hub proposal and a major water transfer project. In his meeting with Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Prahlad Joshi, Naidu requested for the allocation of rooftop solar capacity under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and urged expediting approval of the proposals submitted by state electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) in January. "Had a fruitful meeting... With the Centre's support, we will reduce energy costs, empower our people, and lead India's clean energy transition," Naidu, a key ally of the NDA, said in a post on X after meeting Joshi. The chief minister has set a target of installing 20 lakh rooftop solar units by 2025. Under the scheme, SC/ST households will receive free rooftop solar systems, while backward caste households will get Rs 10,000 per kWp ...

YS Sharmila on hunger strike to support Visakhapatnam Steel Plant workers

Congress leader Sharmila criticised the management of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, accusing them of ignoring workers' problems and acting in a harsh and controlling manner

Andhra Pradesh liquor scam accused Balaji Govindappa arrested in Mysore

The Andhra Pradesh Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the charges of Rs 3,200 crore liquor scam that had allegedly taken place during the previous YSRCP regime in the state has arrested an accused in the case, Balaji Govindappa, in Mysore on Tuesday, said an official. Govindappa is one of the several accused in the case. "Govindappa has been arrested in Mysore today," the official confirmed to PTI. He is an executive director at Bharati Cement Pvt Ltd. According to a source, SIT officials searched Govindappa's residence in Hyderabad three days ago, followed by his arrest today. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate filed a money laundering case with regard to the alleged liquor scam. The ED case stems from a September 2024 FIR of the Economic Offences CID of the state police. In the recent remand report of Kasireddy Raja Sekhar Reddy, the prime accused in the alleged liquor scam, the SIT has named several people who allegedly played a key role between 2019 a

Staggering 100% surge in alcohol-related diseases during YSRCP rule: Report

Andhra Pradesh has registered a staggering 100 percent increase in the cases of alcohol-related liver diseases during the tenure of Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP in 2019-2024 as compared to 2014-19, according to a report by an expert panel. The 3-member panel, which the Chandrababu Naidu government constituted to analyse the disease burden in Andhra, used the official health data from Arogyasri, a flagship scheme to provide quality healthcare services to the poor. Expressing concern over the panel's finding, Special Chief Secretary in the state's health department, Krishna Babu, said: "We find a startling increase in the number of liver and neurological patients in 2019-24 compared to 2014-19. We are quite concerned and we are analysing the data for further action." He also said the state government is in the process of setting up an advisory board, comprising national and international health experts, to further analyse the data to take preventive action. According to the panel repo

Andhra Pradesh govt reboots power sector with management overhaul

State has appointed 16 new directors in one go to revamp finances, operations of five state power utilities

PM to launch, lay foundation for projects worth Rs 58K cr in Andhra today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 58,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, which includes resuming the construction of greenfield capital city Amaravati. According to the official schedule shared by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's office, PM Modi is expected to land at Gannavaram Airport (Vijayawada Airport) at 2:55 pm and travel by helicopter to Velagapudi secretariat helipad. "He will be received by Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan. By 3:30 pm, the Prime Minister will arrive at the public meeting venue and participate in the foundation-laying and inaugural events," said a press release from the CM's office. The programme is scheduled to last an hour and 15 minutes, following which PM Modi will return to Gannavaram and depart for New Delhi. The southern state has made elaborate arrangements for Amaravati ReSTART (Amaravati construction relaunch) event, which is expected to be attended by thousands of

Rammohan Naidu says Baruva beach in Andhra Pradesh to be tourism hub

Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Saturday announced that Baruva Beach in Sompeta mandal of Srikakulam district will be developed into a tourism hub, offering water sports like scuba diving, paramotor flying, and eco-tourism experiences. After launching the beach festival here, Naidu unveiled these plans. The Union Minister of Civil Aviation told reporters, "Plans are underway to transform Baruva into a mini Goa. Youth will be trained in diving, guiding, and event management to create local employment." He emphasised that the beach's natural resources -- including the Mahendra Tanaya river confluence, a lighthouse, a sunken ship, and a smooth coastline -- make it ideal for tourism. District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar outlined the importance of balancing tourism with conservation. The festival included coastal cleanups, e-waste drives, and nature awareness programmes. The collector further stated that an eco-exhibition, painting contests, and biodiversity documentaries are

ED attaches Jagan's shares, Dalmia land worth ₹800 cr in old bribery case

The Enforcement Directorate's action stems from a case initially registered by the CBI in 2011, alleging that DCBL invested ₹95 crore in Raghuram Cements Ltd, a company associated with Jagan Reddy

Andhra allots 21.16 acres to TCS in Vizag for 99 paise to boost IT hub

According to sources, the discussion between the state and the company started in October 2024, when IT minister Nara Lokesh visited Tata House and made a strong pitch

Andhra Pradesh to launch LEAP model for education revamp, says Nara Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh is revamping its education model this month with the launch of LEAP (Learning Excellence in Andhra Pradesh) model, aimed at overhauling curriculum, pedagogy and infrastructure, according to Education Minister Nara Lokesh. Play-based curriculum, pedagogy training and an AI-driven remedial assessment programme, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), are among the major highlights of the model. "Andhra Pradesh is pioneering a new era of education through LEAP focusing on foundational learning, global best practices, and inclusive growth," Lokesh told PTI. The model will be introduced from the 2025-26 academic session. The Minister explained that the government's vision is to build a world-class education system in the state by 2029 by adopting an outcome-oriented approach to equip students with technical, leadership, and real-life skills through AI and other cutting-edge technologies. The need for the new model was felt after crucial reports, including the ASER sur

Centre, Andhra framing joint action plan to strengthen Vizag Steel Plant

The central and state governments are formulating a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the Vizag Steel Plant (VPS). A delegation from the Union Ministry of Steel held discussions with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at his residence in Undavalli, Guntur district, on Monday, said an official release. "The discussions primarily focused on the developments following the NDA government's approval of a financial package for the Vizag Steel Plant and the necessary measures to be taken," the release added. Union Minister of State for Steel B Srinivasa Varma, who participated in the meeting, expressed gratitude to the chief minister for the state government's initiative in providing security to the plant through the Special Protection Force (SPF). Further, Naidu discussed key aspects with the delegation, including the regular review of the steel plant's progress and the reopening of the third blast furnace in addition to the two currently in operation. He emphasised the emotional

CM Naidu launches P4 programme seeking eradication of poverty in Andhra

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday launched the poverty eradication' programme - P4-Margadarsi Bangaru Kutumbam'. P4 or Public Private People Partnership aims to uplift underprivileged families with the support of affluent individuals from society. During the launch event here, two underprivileged families were invited on stage to share their aspirations. After listening to a family's aspiration to educate their children, the chief minister asked three successful entrepreneurs how they could help uplift the family. Among them were Greenko CEO and Managing Director Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty and Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) Managing Director P V Krishna Reddy. "If the children can be admitted to a nearby private school and provided with transportation, their aspiration could be fulfilled," Chalamalasetty suggested. He further emphasised that P4 provides a crucial platform to assist underprivileged families, highlighting that while many ..