A.P. Cabinet approves ₹9,355 crore for seven Multi-Village Schemes

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday announced a series of policy decisions aimed at strengthening water security, enhancing social welfare and facilitating administrative efficiency in the State.

Addressing the media, Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said the Cabinet has given administrative approval for ₹ 9,355 crore to be invested in seven Multi Village Schemes (MVS).

These projects have been designed to provide water quota of 55 liters per capita per day to more than 65 lakh people in 76 mandals. Complementing this, ₹1,814.71 crore has been sanctioned for 3,000 local projects targeting water-stressed areas, funded through Jal Jeevan Mission and NABARD.

The cabinet approved the implementation of ‘Sakhi Nivas’ hostels under Mission Shakti (Andhra Pradesh) programme. The initiative aims to provide safe, affordable accommodation to single working women, widows and those living away from their families. Each of the 30 planned hostels will include nursery services to support working mothers. He said the operations would be carried out by outsourced personnel, including private guards and security personnel.

‘More Crop Per Drop’

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by tribal communities, the Cabinet expanded irrigation subsidies under the ‘Drop More Crop’ scheme for farmers with forest rights. From now on, drip irrigation systems will be supported with 100 percent support, and sprinkler systems will be supported with 90 percent support.

The minister said the initiative will be implemented in saturation mode in eight identified districts with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity in rain-fed tribal lands.

To expedite resolution of business tax disputes, an additional post of Commissioner (State Taxes) has been created in Visakhapatnam, which will serve as the First Appellate Authority and reduce the burden on Vijayawada.

300 Head Constable posts in Andhra Pradesh Special Police have been upgraded to Reserve Deputy Sub-Inspector roles to enhance command, control and disaster management capabilities.

Land has been allocated for new Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses in Srikakulam, NTR and Eluru districts and an ESIC hospital in Nellore. Land in Bapatla and Chittoor districts has been allocated for development of luxury resorts to promote regional tourism.

He added that around 82.40 acres of land in Nellore district has been handed over to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation projects.