₹2.83 lakh crore spent on welfare, development in two years: Social Welfare Minister

Andhra Pradesh's Social Welfare Minister, Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, revealed on Friday that his government had spent ₹2.83 lakh crore on welfare and development initiatives over the past two years. Addressing the 'Two Years of Trust, Development and Welfare' program in Paletipadu village, Swamy highlighted various schemes that have benefited different sections of society.

The government allocated ₹19,100 crore to welfare for Scheduled Castes, reaching 43 lakh beneficiaries. For Scheduled Tribes, ₹5,730 crore benefitting nine lakh people, was set aside. Backward Classes received ₹32,534 crore, supporting 1.18 crore individuals. Minorities were given ₹4,856 crore, helping more than 17 lakh people. The state also attracted investments worth over ₹23 lakh crore during the two-year period.

Swamy further disclosed that the government saved ₹8,269 crore by rescheduling loans, released ₹30,849 crore in unpaid employee wages, and cleared ₹19,357 crore in pending bills from the previous administration. Additionally, 86 Central schemes were revived by clearing ₹8,695 crore in outstanding dues, which were previously stalled under the YSR Congress Party regime.

After taking office, the government secured ₹45,138 crore from the central government. Swamy credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for steering the state towards development through fiscal responsibility. He criticized the YSRCP government for its five-year rule, describing it as one marred by "hatred and destruction" and lacking in infrastructure development, as no significant roads or major projects were initiated.

In contrast, Swamy claimed that the current administration has constructed 3,800 km of roads within two years and is developing pothole-free highways.