Four years in power: YS Jagan walks the talk on welfare promises

AMARAVATI: Four years passed by swiftly as Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy steered Andhra Pradesh into a welfare state placing development on a high pedestal, working for balanced regional growth and working for empowerment of women, weaker sections and minorities thereby winning accolades from all over.

On May 30, 2019, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy took over the reins of the State and began translating his election promises into action, fulfilling over 98.5 percent in the course of four years, and women were undeniably the major beneficiaries, with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) being the crown of welfare jewel and the house site pattas given in the name of the woman of the household demonstrating the Government's commitment.

During the four years, the state made enormous progress, with the poor and needy receiving welfare, administration percolating to the grass-roots level through a vibrant village and ward secretariat system, direct benefit transfer demolishing the middlemen syndicate and driving away corruption.

The attractive industrial policy, summits, and initiatives of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lead to in a heavy influx of investment commitments from big ticket companies, as well as a who's who of Indian corporate and foreign delegates visiting the State, expressing interest in green energy, infrastructure, service sector, and port-based economy, among other things.

Women's empowerment, social, economic, and political, has been a hallmark of the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government over the last four years as they became a part of the State's economic progress, from Amma Vodi to Vidya Devena, Vasati Devena, Cheyutha, Asara, house sites pattas, and quotas in nominated posts.

Continuing the decentralisation agenda, the government has increased the number of districts to 26, naming them after prominent personalities such as YSR, NTR, Annamayya, and Alluri Sitarama Raju, as well as establishing village and ward secretariats to more effectively deliver government schemes and demonstrate tangible functional governance at the village level.

The state invested over Rs. 3 lakh crore so far on DBT and non-DBT initiatives. Approximately Rs. 2.11 lakh crores were sent directly into the bank accounts of recipients under various initiatives during the last four years as the government prioritised people's welfare.

Rythu Bharosa Kendras, dispensing all the needs of farmers from seeds to sale of produce, YSR Clinics and the Family Doctor concept English medium schools have changed the rural landscape among other measuers taken up by the Government.

Covid pandemic was effectively handled and social justice was followed in allotment of seats from ward to Parliament members. Education, health, women and child welfare, agriculture and agriculture sectors have been prioritised.

Government gave equal priority to industrial growth resulting in 89 SEZs out of which 24 have become operational, 33 are formally approved. To attract investments sector-wise, the Government has formed industrial clusters across the State categorising them as biotech parks, textile parks and hardware parks.

The Global Investors’ Summit (GIS)-23 held at Visakhapatnam attracted investments worth Rs. 13,05,663crore through 352 MoUs with the potential to create 6 lakh jobs in 20 sectors.

The State recorded growth of 16.22% in 2022-23 over the previous year, the agricultural, industrial and services sectors posted growth of 36.19 percent, 23.36 percent and 40.45 percent respectively. The State also topped the Ease of Doing Business tables. While the country’s per capita income went up to Rs. 1,72,000 in 2022-23 from Rs. 1,48,524 in 2021-22, the State’s per capita income went up to Rs. 2,19,518 from Rs. 1,92,587 in the corresponding years.

To give a boost to the logistics and enhance connectivity across the state, the Government has also been building 4 new sea ports spending over Rs. 16,000crore and 10 fishing harbors and 6 fish land centers with an expenditure of Rs.3700crore besides 6 new airports.

Wrapping up, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ushered in a transparent and corruption free governance in the past four years and laid strong foundation for rapid growth in the days to come.