Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh BJP president PVN Madhav expressed concern over the mounting financial burden on aqua farmers due to rising fuel prices triggered by global geopolitical tensions.

Participating in the “Cheruvula Parirakshana” and “Janata Varadhi” programmes, Mr. Madhav said international political developments, particularly tensions between Iran and the United States, had impacted the global economy and led to an increase in crude oil prices, thereby pushing up domestic fuel costs.

He observed that the aquaculture sector was heavily dependent on fuel for the operation of motors, aerators, transportation and feed supply, resulting in a sharp rise in operational expenditure for farmers. The increase in production costs, coupled with export slowdown and market instability, was placing severe pressure on the sector, he said.

Mr. Madhav stated that small and medium-scale aqua farmers were facing significant economic stress under the prevailing conditions. He assured that the Bharatiya Janata Party would take the concerns of aqua farmers to the attention of both the Union and State governments and seek measures such as diesel subsidy, electricity concessions, financial assistance and restructuring of loans.

Highlighting the importance of the aquaculture sector to Andhra Pradesh’s economy, he said the industry provided livelihoods to thousands of families and required sustained policy support from governments.

Mr. Madhav said aqua farmers need not lose confidence, adding that the BJP remained committed to supporting the sector and addressing the issues affecting farmers.

AMARAVATI, May 12:The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday strongly condemned former minister and YSRCP leader Perni Nani for making what it described as derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the party's Andhra Pradesh state chief spokesperson Valluru Jayaprakash Narayana demanding an unconditional public apology.

Addressing the media , Jayaprakash Narayana said it was deeply unfortunate that the YSRCP leadership had chosen to respond to the Prime Minister's counsel on financial discipline, savings, and responsible living with personal attacks. "The Prime Minister's advice to citizens on building economic security for the future reflects a national leader's sense of responsibility. Reducing such guidance to political ridicule is both unwarranted and unbecoming," he said.

The BJP spokesperson cited India's rise as the world's fifth largest economy under Modi's leadership, pointing to the digital revolution, transparent governance, infrastructural growth, and enhanced global economic credibility as evidence of the government's track record. "These are not claims — these are realities that every Indian citizen is witnessing firsthand," he added.

Turning his attention to the YSRCP, Jayaprakash Narayana said the party had a consistent pattern of viewing every issue through a narrow political lens. "Perni Nani's remarks reflect political bankruptcy, not responsible engagement with public concerns. This is the hallmark of a party driven by frustration and irrelevance," he said.

The BJP leader made it clear that making disparaging remarks against the office of the Prime Minister was contrary to the norms of democratic culture and called upon Perni Nani to immediately withdraw his comments and exercise greater restraint. He warned that should the apology not be forthcoming, BJP cadres would stage protests outside Perni Nani's residence.

Jayaprakash Narayana also reminded voters that the people of Andhra Pradesh had already delivered a decisive democratic verdict against the YSRCP's "anarchic, destructive and corrupt politics," which he said had caused lasting damage to the state. "The people have spoken clearly. They rejected a political culture that set back Andhra Pradesh's development," he observed.

Concluding his remarks, the BJP spokesperson said that what ultimately matters is not who offers an idea, but how much it benefits the nation. "The politics of cynical criticism has run its course. People today are rallying behind leadership that offers vision, development and national purpose," he said.

VIJAYAWADA, May 12: Bharatiya Janata Party SC Morcha state president Panatala Suresh on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks made by former minister Perni Nani against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an unconditional public apology from YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and warning that the party's continued resort to ridicule politics would cost it dearly in future elections.

Speaking to the media, Suresh said that Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Telangana had been devoted to launching development schemes worth thousands of crores of rupees, carrying a clear message of inclusive national progress. He noted that the Prime Minister's counsel to citizens on reducing cooking oil consumption, conserving petrol and controlling pollution had struck a chord with the public.

"Sarcasm Politics" Condemned

Suresh accused YSRCP leaders of deliberately sidestepping substantive development discourse in favour of mockery and personal attacks. He specifically took strong exception to the remarks directed at the Prime Minister by Perni Nani, alleging that leaders who had lost public standing were resorting to such statements purely for publicity.

He challenged Jagan Mohan Reddy to hold a press conference and criticise the Prime Minister's policies directly, rather than doing so through proxies. "If you have the conviction, face the media and make your case," he said.

From Chaiwala to National Leader

Suresh drew a pointed contrast between Prime Minister Modi, who he described as a leader who rose from humble origins as a tea seller to understand the struggles of ordinary citizens, and those who entered politics through dynastic privilege. Perni Nani, he said, must immediately retract his remarks and tender an apology or face the consequences of public opinion.

Centre's Largesse to AP Cited

Suresh also highlighted the central government's allocation of lakhs of crores of rupees for the development of Andhra Pradesh and Amaravati, arguing that YSRCP's sarcastic posturing was a disservice to a state that stood to benefit enormously from the BJP-led government at the Centre. He warned that if the party persisted with such an approach, it risked failing to win even 11 seats in the forthcoming elections.

TULLLUR (GUNTUR): Construction of the long-awaited capital city of Amaravati is progressing at a brisk pace, with the MLA and MLC residential-cum-office complexes being built at Rayapudi nearing completion, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana said on Tuesday.

The Minister inspected the under-construction MLA and MLC bhavan complexes at Rayapudi in Amaravati and spoke to the media thereafter, expressing confidence that the capital city project was firmly back on track.

Neighbouring States Taking Note

Mr. Narayana said the scale and speed of construction activity in Amaravati had begun to attract attention and admiration even in neighbouring states. "People across state boundaries are talking about what is happening here," he said, underlining the project's growing visibility as a symbol of the government's development agenda.

Land Pooling: Near-Complete Allocation

Providing a detailed account of the land pooling exercise, the Minister stated that 30,753 farmers had contributed 35,017 acres of land for the capital's development. Of these, plots had already been allotted against 34,525 acres, with allotments pending for only 674 farmers — translating to a completion rate of 98.06 per cent.

He attributed the pending cases to court proceedings initiated by certain farmers and to unresolved family disputes over land ownership, clarifying that the delay was not on account of any administrative failure. All allotments, he added, had been carried out transparently through a lottery system.

Political Conspiracy Alleged

Taking strong exception to what he described as a disinformation campaign, Mr. Narayana alleged that a section of people were deliberately spreading falsehoods about the capital project for political ends. "Those who claim that the government has not allotted plots despite farmers giving their lands must acquaint themselves with the facts," he said, accusing them of orchestrating a political conspiracy against Amaravati.

Handover to GAD

The Minister further stated that completed structures would be formally handed over to the General Administration Department (GAD) upon the conclusion of construction work, paving the way for their operationalisation.

The inspection was seen as part of the state government's efforts to underscore progress on the capital front ahead of the legislature session.

AMARAVATI, May 6: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday dismissed 51 doctors serving under the Director of Medical Education (DME) for remaining absent from duty without authorisation, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced, warning that the state would brook no further negligence in public medical institutions.

The dismissed doctors include eight Associate Professors, 41 Assistant Professors, and two Tutors — several of whom had been absent from their posts for periods ranging from one year to as long as six years. The action was taken under Rule 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules (Violation) — 1964, which empowers the government to treat prolonged unauthorised absence as deemed resignation.

"Show-cause notices were issued and adequate time was given to respond. Despite that, there was no response from these individuals," Satya Kumar Yadav said. "Those who are negligent in discharging their duties or who remain absent without authorisation will face strict action. There is absolutely no question of tolerating irresponsibility."

Absent for years, some since 2020

Among the Associate Professors dismissed, one attached to Andhra Medical College had been absent since February 7, 2020 — a period of over five years. Among the Assistant Professors, one had not reported for duty since August 22, 2022. The dismissed doctors belong to government medical colleges spread across the state, including those at Kadapa, Anantapur, Ongole, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Nellore, and Markapur.

Of the two Tutors dismissed, one had been absent for seven years — among the longest periods of unauthorised absence recorded in the exercise.

Charge memos bring eleven back to duty

The crackdown has already produced results in some cases. Eleven doctors who had been absent for under a year returned to duty after the DME issued charge memoranda. However, 33 others — comprising two Associate Professors and 31 Assistant Professors — have yet to report despite receiving notices, and face dismissal if they fail to join within the stipulated deadline.

In the Professor category, three individuals who had been absent for extended periods are expected to face similar punitive action shortly. Of five Professors served notices, two have since returned to duty.

Impact on patient care cited as primary concern

Officials noted that the prolonged absence of faculty from teaching hospitals had a direct and measurable impact on the quality of medical services available to patients. Many of the absentees had reportedly pursued private engagements while remaining on government rolls — a practice that had gone largely unchecked during the previous administration.

Following directions issued by the Minister, DME officials compiled detailed lists of absentees from across all government medical colleges before initiating formal proceedings under the applicable service rules.

The government has simultaneously indicated that vacancies arising from these dismissals will be filled promptly under its Zero Vacancy Policy, ensuring that the affected institutions are not left short-staffed in the interim.

With 33 more doctors yet to report and action pending against three Professors, further dismissals in the coming weeks appear likely.

AMARAVATI, May 4: Andhra Pradesh BJP State president PVN Madhav on Monday conveyed his birthday greetings to Vice-President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan, describing his rise from an ordinary party worker to the country's second-highest constitutional office as a reflection of his exceptional qualities and commitment to public life.

In a statement released on the occasion, Mr. Madhav said that Mr. Radhakrishnan's journey was an inspiration for generations to come, and that his long years of political experience had been marked by unstinting dedication to the welfare of the people. He said the Vice-President's contributions to public life would be remembered for years to come.

Mr. Madhav expressed his wish that the Vice-President enjoy good health and happiness, and conveyed his hope that the country would achieve greater progress and development under his guidance and leadership.

AMARAVATI: The Andhra Pradesh government is gearing up to hold extensive programmes across the State to mark the International Yoga Day on June 21, with Minister for Medical and Health Satya Kumar Yadav chairing a preparatory meeting with AYUSH officials at the department's headquarters here on Monday evening.

Addressing officials at the meeting, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav directed that awareness about the importance of yoga be deepened among the public at large. He instructed officials to actively involve students, government employees, and members of Yoga associations, Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, and other civil society organisations in the planned events.

The Minister also suggested convening a dedicated meeting with yoga trainers across the State to solicit their inputs on the conduct of the programmes, and emphasised that the activities must build substantively on those held last year.

A State-level event of considerable scale is proposed to be organised in Amaravati under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and officials were asked to prepare proposals accordingly. District-level Yoga Day programmes are to be conducted under the leadership of respective Collectors.

Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav noted that educational institutions are expected to reopen from the second week of June, following the summer vacation, and said that promoting awareness about yoga among students at that stage would yield wide-ranging benefits. He added that such initiatives would also contribute to the realisation of the State government's vision of Swarna Andhra Pradesh.

Report on last year's impact sought

The Minister enquired specifically into the scale and impact of programmes held on the occasion of International Yoga Day last year and directed AYUSH In-charge Commissioner Ronankhi Gopalkrishna to prepare a detailed report on the same.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Mantena Satyanarayana Raju, State Government Adviser on Yoga and Naturopathy, offered several important suggestions on the precautions and measures needed to effectively build public awareness through yoga and allied programmes.

Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav is expected to hold another round of discussions with officials shortly on the conduct of the Yoga Day events, and will also consult Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on the matter.

VIJAYAWADA, May 3: Persons with disabilities are in no way inferior to their colleagues in the discharge of official duties, and with the resolution of minor workplace difficulties and provision of adequate opportunities, they can demonstrate even greater capability — this was the assertion of Andhra Pradesh NGGО State president A. Vidyasagar at the election of the new executive committee of the Andhra Pradesh Hearing Handicapped Employees Association (APHHEA), Amaravati, held on Sunday.

The elections were conducted at the AP NGO Home in Gandhinagar, Vijayawada, where a 17-member executive committee was returned unopposed.

Addressing the newly elected members, Mr. Vidyasagar said the AP NGGО has consistently worked towards the welfare of employees with diverse abilities and the redressal of their grievances, with particular attention to securing their rights. He added that improving communication facilities and workplace infrastructure in government offices would directly enhance the performance and productivity of hearing-impaired employees. He also noted that the government remains committed to the advancement and well-being of employees with disabilities.

New executive committee

The election results were formally declared by returning officer and AP NGGО State general secretary A. Ranjith Kumar Naidu. Acknowledgements were extended to election observers L. Rajanish Babu and assistant returning officer Ashok Babu.

The following were elected unanimously for a three-year term: V. Kumar (president), A. Venkat Reddy (associate president), A. Kanna (general secretary), and SK. Imam Khasim (treasurer). The vice-presidents elected are Ch. Ravi Kumar, P.H. Sriramudu, M. Ravi Durgaprasad, and K. Satyanarayana. M. Shiva Naga Santhosh was elected executive secretary. R. Srinivasarao, P. Lakshmi, M. Vijaya Prasad, and D. Sathish were elected joint secretaries, while T.T. Durgaprasad, V. Deva Rajulu, G. Srinivasarao, and S. Kishor were elected as secretaries.

The returning officer expressed confidence that the new committee would work tirelessly for the welfare of hearing-impaired government employees across the State.

AMARAVATI, May 3: BJP State president PVN Madhav on Sunday described press freedom as a vital pillar of democratic governance, asserting that society can progress meaningfully only when the freedom to speak truth without fear is upheld.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Mr. Madhav said the media bears a cardinal responsibility to bring to light the injustices, corruption, and inequalities prevalent in society, and commended journalists who discharge that responsibility with commitment and integrity.

He noted that the press plays an indispensable role as a bridge between the people and the government, carrying public grievances to the attention of those in authority.

Fact-checking and ethical values more critical than ever

Acknowledging the accelerated pace of information in the digital age, Mr. Madhav cautioned that the need for fact verification, ethical standards, and accountable journalism has grown correspondingly greater. He warned that the spread of misinformation and rumour poses a serious threat to social fabric, and emphasised that retaining public trust is the foremost duty of the media.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to an enabling environment for the press, Mr. Madhav said protecting press freedom is a collective responsibility and that journalists must be able to practise their profession without intimidation or coercion. He expressed the view that a stronger press translates directly into a stronger democracy.

Extending greetings to journalists working with integrity and courage, Mr. Madhav urged the media to advance with greater responsibility in the service of public good.

AMARAVATI, APRIL 29:In a significant shift from curative to preventive healthcare, the Andhra Pradesh Health Department has approved a comprehensive citizen health screening scheme under which each identified individual will undergo 47 different medical tests annually, delivered through 104 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) deployed across the State.

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav gave his approval to the scheme on Wednesday. The initiative, which will entail an annual expenditure of ₹162.72 crore, is aimed at fulfilling a commitment made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to assess the current health status of citizens through comprehensive medical examinations and take preventive action before diseases set in.

Scope and coverage

Under the scheme, a total of 56.4 lakh persons will be screened every year. This includes individuals identified through the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) survey as either already suffering from or at risk of various ailments, as well as students residing in welfare and educational hostels.

A marked departure from earlier practice

Until now, the 104 MMUs conducted only six types of tests once every 15 days at the village level — random blood sugar, urine sugar, haemoglobin, a rapid diagnostic test for diseases such as malaria, urine albumin, and a pregnancy confirmation test. These tests were largely carried out using rapid kits that often yielded imprecise results. Individual disease profiles and electronic health records at the village, mandal, and district levels were not being maintained.

The revamped scheme will replace this limited framework with a battery of 47 tests across 11 health parameters for each identified individual. The tests include eight liver function tests (LFT), six urine analysis tests, five lipid profile tests, five white blood cell count tests, five red blood cell count tests, four electrolyte tests, three renal function tests (RFT), three glucose tests, two coagulation tests, one ESR test for infection markers, and five other tests.

Disease profiles and health records

Based on the results of these comprehensive tests, individual disease profiles and electronic health records will be prepared for each citizen. Under the Sanjeevani scheme, personalised advisories will be issued covering immediate precautions and long-term preventive measures. Minister Satya Kumar Yadav described the launch of this screening initiative as a step of considerable importance in safeguarding the health of the State's population.

Role of service provider

In the first phase, covering a period of five years, the service provider currently operating the 104 MMU services through a fleet of 904 vehicles will be required to install, at its own cost, a semi-automatic bio-chemistry analyser, a CBC machine with three-part analyser, a microscope, and an incubator in each vehicle. The provider will also supply the necessary reagents and consumables for conducting all 47 tests. Each vehicle is expected to screen 20 persons per day across 26 working days a month, covering 520 individuals monthly.

Swift rollout directed

Minister Satya Kumar Yadav directed senior health department officials to take immediate steps to operationalise the scheme at the earliest. Officials informed the Minister that efforts were underway to launch the services within two months.

AMARAVATI, APRIL 29: The Central Government has released ₹207.03 crore as the first instalment of its share under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for Andhra Pradesh, towards strengthening the livelihoods of women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating under the DWACRA framework and implemented through the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).

BJP State President PVN Madhav welcomed the development and conveyed his gratitude to the Central Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the timely release of funds.

Total outlay of ₹690 crore for 2026-27

According to Mr. Madhav, a total of ₹690 crore is expected to be made available to SHGs in the State under DAY-NRLM for the financial year 2026-27. The Centre's first instalment of ₹207.03 crore will be supplemented by the State Government's matching grant of 40 per cent, which is to be released shortly, he said.

The funds are intended to support rural women in improving their economic standing, expanding self-employment opportunities, and enabling their transition towards micro-entrepreneurship, Mr. Madhav stated.

Women's empowerment a priority, says Madhav

Emphasising the Centre's commitment to women's economic empowerment, Mr. Madhav said the Modi government had consistently accorded priority to programmes that strengthen grassroots-level women's collectives. "These funds will play a decisive role in consolidating the gains of the SHG movement in Andhra Pradesh and in building a more resilient rural economy," he said.

The DAY-NRLM, implemented through SERP in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the largest institutional platforms for rural women's livelihoods in the country, with DWACRA SHGs serving as its foundational unit at the village level.

Mumbai: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday received the prestigious Economic Times Business Reformer of the Year award from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, with the Chief Minister using the occasion to outline his ambitious vision for the state's economic transformation and Amaravati's emergence as a world-class city.

Amaravati as the Next Quantum Valley

Speaking in an interview with the Economic Times on the sidelines of the event, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh would become the number one state in the country in tandem with India's rise as a global economic power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, driven by the state's Swarnandhra Vision 2047. Drawing on his earlier experience of developing Cyberabad, he said Amaravati would be built as a futuristic blue and green city with a net-zero concept. "People used to look towards Silicon Valley for IT — now Amaravati will emerge as a quantum valley," he said, adding that the city would surpass Hyderabad in its scale and ambition.

Green Energy Push and Global Investments

The Chief Minister said his government was actively promoting green energy, battery storage, pumped storage and green ammonia sectors. While the Prime Minister had set a national target of 500 GW of green energy, Andhra Pradesh had set its own target of 160 GW and had already achieved 90 GW. He noted that global companies, including Gold Centre, had come forward to set up a data centre in Visakhapatnam at a cost of $15 billion, with the foundation stone scheduled to be laid within days.

Reforms, Welfare and the P-4 Programme

Naidu reiterated that economic reforms were essential for wealth creation and, by extension, for the effective implementation of welfare schemes. He highlighted the state's P-4 programme, under which the top ten per cent of affluent sections of society are encouraged to support the bottom twenty per cent of the poor, as a model initiative for inclusive growth.

Women's Reservation Bill

Commenting on the Women's Reservation Bill, Naidu expressed his unequivocal support for the Central government's position and said he was unable to understand the logic behind the opposition parties' resistance to the legislation. He pointed out that if the bill were passed, the number of seats in southern states would increase by fifty per cent, opening up greater political opportunities for women. "If women strongly determine to see this through, the passing of the bill will be possible," he said.

Modi as Best Performer and Reformer

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the best performer and reformer the country had seen, Naidu said the liberalisation of rules under the current Central government had resulted in a significant surge in investments. He stressed that the promotion of industries remained central to wealth creation and long-term economic prosperity.

Population Management Policy

On the question of demographic challenges, Naidu expressed concern over India's declining fertility rate, currently at 1.9 per cent, and particularly Andhra Pradesh's rate of 1.5 per cent. He said population management was essential to ensuring a young India in the future and noted that the state had already introduced a dedicated population management policy to address the issue.

Technology-Driven Governance

The Chief Minister highlighted his government's adoption of cutting-edge technology in public services, including AI Doctor, AI Tutor and AI Agronomy initiatives, aimed at improving service delivery and productivity. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to transparent and efficient governance through what he described as the principles of Speed of Doing Business and Speed of Delivering Governance.

Receiving the award, Naidu expressed hope that the recognition would further boost investor confidence and help attract greater investment to Andhra Pradesh, calling it a key priority of his administration.