Tirupati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on a visit to his native Naravaripalle in Chandragiri constituency marking the Sankranti festival, inaugurated several development projects and laid the foundation for new projects on Monday.
Accompanied by his son and minister Nara Lokesh, Chittoor MP Prasada Rao, Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani and district collector Venkateswar, the chief minister also distributed the welfare scheme benefits to local residents.
Naidu commenced his engagements by distributing drip irrigation equipment to farmers under the Micro Irrigation Scheme (APMIP). Beneficiaries included farmers Balaram Naidu and Jyothi. He directed officials to ensure that all eligible farmers are covered under the scheme.
Towards strengthening rural infrastructure, the chief minister laid the foundation for a Rs 4.27 crore 33/11 kV semi-indoor substation in Naravaripalle. Present at the event was APSPDCL CMD Santosh Rao. Advocating sustainable energy solutions, Naidu asked officials to equip every household with solar panels.
The chief minister inaugurated 26 development projects costing Rs 3.21 crore under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. These projects, spread across three secretariats in Naravaripalle, would enhance local employment and infrastructure.
Naidu unveiled a plan to transform the Rangampeta Zilla Parishad High School into a state-of-the-art institution. With support from Sri City, the school will receive modern amenities, including a computer lab, artificial intelligence and robotics lab, sports facilities and a dining hall. This initiative, estimated to cost Rs 1.10 crore, aims to enhance the quality of education for rural students.
The CM witnessed the signing of an MoU between the department of women and child welfare and Care & Grow for a pilot project in Tirupati district. It aims to train Anganwadi workers in Naravaripalle Panchayat, leveraging the success of similar programmes in Kuppam.
In collaboration with DRDA-Velugu and Ezi Mart, an MoU has been signed to empower rural women by facilitating their involvement in the supply of goods to grocery stores.
Naidu handed over registration documents to a farmer producer organisation (FPO) formed with 200 mango farmers from five nearby villages. He stressed the advantages of direct marketing through partnerships with Big Basket, Reliance and local processing units, aiming to reduce the role of middlemen and increase farmers' earnings.
In a push for green mobility, the chief minister distributed 15 e-autos to SC DWCRA group women from Naravaripalle and nearby villages, including C Ramapuram. Each vehicle was subsidised by Rs 1.5 lakh under the DRDA-Velugu and SC Corporation schemes. He noted that the e-autos would significantly cut fuel costs while contributing to environmental sustainability.
