Implement Centrally Sponsored Schemes Without Negligence to Achieve Targets

Vijayawada: Chief secretary to the AP Government, Neerabh Kumar Prasad, reviewed the various centrally sponsored schemes being implemented in the state at the Secretariat on Thursday, alongside officials from the concerned departments. He instructed the officials to implement these schemes without any negligence to ensure the targets are met.

The Chief secretary reviewed the implementation and progress of the schemes being jointly undertaken by the Central and State Governments in sectors such as Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Housing, Agriculture, Medical Health, and Fisheries.

Principal secretary for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Sashi Bhushan Kumar, explained that a total of 22 centrally sponsored schemes are currently being implemented in the department. He further mentioned that Rs.13,366 crore had been spent in the 2023-24 fiscal year under various centrally sponsored schemes, while Rs.7,899 crore had been utilised so far for the 2024-25 fiscal year. For 2024-25, the central government has released Rs.8,340 crore as its share for the implementation of these schemes.

Following this, Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad reviewed the skill training programmes conducted in 2023-24 and 2024-25, discussing the central government’s contribution and the state’s financial share. He emphasised the need for better outcome-based training programmes to provide employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, through the skill training department. He also ordered a detailed report on the training programmes conducted so far.

The Chief secretary reviewed the centrally sponsored schemes within the home department. Special Secretary Vijayakumar stated that schemes such as the modernisation of police forces are being implemented. The Chief Secretary directed that all CC cameras in the state be connected to the real-time governance system at the Secretariat.

Neerabh Kumar Prasad also reviewed the implementation progress of centrally sponsored schemes related to Social Welfare, BC, Tribal and Women’s Welfare, Differently Abled Departments, Housing, Agriculture, Medical Health, and Fisheries with the respective officials.

Finance secretary Janaki, Police IG Ph.D. Ramakrishna, and officials from the concerned departments participated in the meeting.