Amaravati, April 13: Andhra Pradesh State Health Minister Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Monday hailed the inauguration of two Quantum Reference Facilities in Amaravati as a historic milestone, describing Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's initiative to establish the capital city as a Quantum Valley as a defining moment not only for Andhra Pradesh but for the country as a whole.

In a statement issued here, the Minister said the launch of two quantum beds by the Chief Minister on Tuesday would herald a new chapter in indigenous scientific capability and place Amaravati firmly on the global technology map. "The pace at which this has been achieved was beyond anyone's expectations," Mr. Satyakumar observed, commending the Chief Minister's resolve and unwavering commitment to the vision.

The Minister elaborated on the transformative potential of quantum computing across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on healthcare. He noted that the technology would significantly advance medical research, enable deeper analysis of the origins and progression of diseases, and accelerate the discovery of new drugs. "This is a revolutionary development that will bring about far-reaching changes across several fields," he said.

Mr. Satyakumar credited the achievement entirely to the Chief Minister's vision and sustained effort, noting that Andhra Pradesh had become the first State in the country to reach this milestone. He also conveyed his gratitude to the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with various institutions and scientists, for their cooperation and support in realising this goal. "Tuesday is a day every Telugu person can take pride in," the Minister added.

Sharp attack on Jagan Reddy

Turning to the political situation in the State, Andhra Pradesh State Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of pursuing a deliberate strategy to obstruct and undermine the progress of Amaravati's development.

The Minister recalled that Mr. Jagan Reddy had himself declared before the Assembly that Amaravati was the State capital, only to subsequently float the contentious three-capital proposal. He said the former Chief Minister's recent advocacy of a "Mavigan" formulation — referencing the cities of Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, and Guntur — was incoherent and reflected a disturbed political disposition. "Even as the public has rejected these arguments, the former Chief Minister shows no sign of introspection. This is a curse the State has had to endure," Mr. Satyakumar said.

The Minister questioned the relevance of Mr. Jagan Reddy's sudden discovery of the three cities twelve years after the State's formation, calling it farcical. He also took strong exception to the former Chief Minister raising questions about the cost of construction materials for Amaravati, while having spent Rs. 500 crore of public money to build a private residence in Visakhapatnam. "Such conduct is thoroughly unbecoming," he said.

A word of caution for the public

Concluding his statement, Mr. Satyakumar urged the people of the State to remain vigilant and carefully observe the unfolding developments. He called on them to recognise the stark contrast between the Chief Minister's constructive efforts toward the State's development and what he described as the former Chief Minister's relentless campaign of disruption, and to exercise discernment in assessing the two.

Visakhapatnam, April 12: State Health Minister Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Monday announced that the Centre is set to introduce the 'Nari Shakti Vandanam' legislation aimed at ensuring adequate representation for women in legislative bodies, with parliamentary debate on the Bill scheduled for the 17th and 18th of this month.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP district office, presided over by district president M.M.N. Parashurama Raju, the Minister underscored the stark disparity between women's share of the population and their presence in elected bodies. "Women constitute more than half the country's population, yet their representation in legislatures stands at a mere 13 per cent," he said.

Mr. Satyakumar pointed to the success of the 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies as evidence of their capability and readiness for a larger political role. He also cited schemes such as Jan Dhan accounts, Startup India, and Stand Up India as instruments through which women had achieved greater economic self-reliance in recent years.

Reaffirming the NDA coalition's commitment to substantive rather than rhetorical women's empowerment, the Minister stated that the alliance had set itself the goal of implementing the women's reservation framework from the next elections onward.

Opposition in the crosshairs

Turning to political matters, Mr. Satyakumar trained his criticism on the opposition, expressing surprise that the Congress party, which he said had failed to cross even the 100-seat mark, continued to level charges against the government. He also took strong exception to remarks by YSRCP leaders regarding investments by global firms such as Google and ArcelorMittal in the State, calling their statements unwarranted.

On the Bhogapuram project, the Minister said it was untenable for those who had neglected the initiative for five years to now claim ownership of it.

Commenting on the broader national political landscape, Mr. Satyakumar asserted that a change in governance was needed in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, and added that senior coalition leaders would campaign in areas with a significant Telugu-speaking population wherever elections are under way.

The press conference was attended by BJP Legislature Party leader P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, TDP district president Ch. Pattabhi, BJP State secretary U. Sujatha Raj, and women leaders N. Jyothi and Ananthalakshmi, among others.