CM Chandrababu Naidu assured that the NDA would allocate 34% of its tickets to BCs.
Kondapi (Prakasam): Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday assured that NDA coalition parties would allocate at least 34 per cent of their election tickets to Backward Classes (BCs), ensuring their rightful representation in politics. At a ‘Mee Bhoomi–Mee Hakku’ programme at Narsingolu, he distributed new pattadar passbooks involving 3,304 acres, including 2,915 acres of garbhakandrika lands, to 1,301 farmers.
He also laid the foundation stone for the Rs. 166-crore Pothula Chenchaiah Paleru Reservoir project, which is expected to provide irrigation to 9,500 acres and drinking water to 30,000 people in 15 villages. Addressing a public meeting, Naidu recalled that TDP founder NT Rama Rao introduced 24 per cent reservations for BCs in local bodies, which were subsequently increased to 34 per cent during his earlier tenure. He alleged that the previous government reduced the quota to 24 per cent, depriving more than 16,800 BC leaders of opportunities in local governance. Although the coalition government sought to restore the 34 per cent quota, legal challenges citing the 50 per cent reservation ceiling stalled its implementation.
He said coalition parties would independently ensure 34 per cent representation in candidate nominations. On land records, Naidu said the government had distributed 40.58 lakh pattadar passbooks featuring the state emblem, QR codes, and blockchain technology to protect records against tampering. He said 16.48 lakh acres had been removed from the 22A prohibited list. The Chief Minister announced plans to develop the Donakonda Mega Industrial Township, expand the Ramayapatnam Port, and establish a Rs. 50,000-crore BPCL petrochemical complex. He also announced the sanction of Rs. 31,000 crore under Jaladhara to provide tap water to every rural household within two years. The Chief Minister said the AI-based Sanjeevani health platform would be launched in January to maintain health records and conduct quarterly health assessments. He approved upgrading the Singarayakonda Primary Health Centre into an area hospital and sanctioned Rs. 35 crore for 10 rural roads and Rs. 58 crore for seven Roads and Buildings Department projects. Naidu also promised check-dams across the Paleru and Munneru rivers and the development of Pakala Beach as a tourist destination. He reviewed district performance, emphasising accountability, transparency, and timely public service delivery. Several ministers, MLAs, district officials and public representatives attended the programme.