Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu presides over the cabinet meeting at the Secretariat in Amaravati on Friday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday announced a series of policy decisions aimed at enhancing water security, increasing social welfare and streamlining administrative efficiency in the state.
Addressing the media, Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said the government has given administrative approval to invest ₹9,355 crore in seven Multi-Village Schemes (MVS).
These projects are designed to provide a daily quota of 55 liters of water per person to over 65 million people in 76 mandals. In addition, ₹1,814.71 crore has been sanctioned for 3,000 localized projects targeting water-stressed areas, funded through the Jal Jeevan Mission and NABARD.
The Cabinet has approved implementation of ‘Sakhi Nivas’ hostels under Mission Shakti (Andhra Pradesh). The initiative aims to provide safe and affordable accommodation for single working women, widows and those living far from their families. Each of the 30 planned hostels will include nurseries to support working mothers. Operations will be managed by outside staff, including specialized supervisors and security personnel, he said.
“More crops per drop”
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by tribal communities, the Cabinet has extended irrigation subsidies under the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme to farmers holding forest rights. Drip irrigation systems will now receive a 100% subsidy, irrigation systems will be supported by a 90% subsidy.
The initiative will be implemented in saturation mode in eight designated areas to improve agricultural productivity for rain-fed tribal lands, the minister said.
To speed up the resolution of business tax disputes, the post of Additional Commissioner (State Tax) has been created in Visakhapatnam to serve as the first appellate authority, thereby reducing the burden on Vijayawada.
300 posts of Head Constable in Andhra Pradesh Special Police have been upgraded to Assistant Reserve Sub-Inspector roles to enhance command, control and disaster management capabilities.
Lands have been allocated for the new Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses in Srikakulam, NTR and Eluru districts and for the ESIC Hospital in Nellore. Lands in Bapatla and Chittoor districts have been earmarked for the development of luxury resorts to promote regional tourism.
About 82.40 acres of land in Nellore district has been transferred to the forest department for compensatory afforestation, he added.
Published – 13 March 2026 20:06 IST
