Ongole, October 9 : Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday disclosed that the State Government presently owes about Rs 8,300 crore towards arrears of Fee Reimbursement scheme.
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Addressing a meeting at Vodarevu village of Chirala mandal during the Indiramma Baata programme in the Prakasam district, the Chief Minister informed that the Fee Reimbursement Scheme was launched in 2008 by the then Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. His successor K Rosaiah continued the scheme. However, they did clear the arrears to the colleges. These arrears have now accumulated to the tune of Rs 8,300 crore. However, the Chief Minister announced that the scheme would continue despite financial constraints.
Kiran Kumar Reddy also listed out various schemes being implemented by his government for welfare of fishermen community. He said his government has increased the annual budget for fishermen's welfare by five times to Rs 235 crore. Expressing concern over the impact of oil refineries and other projects on the fishermen, he said that the government would take measures to resolve those issues. He also indicated that the government might provide subsidy on diesel for the trawlers of the fishermen.
The Chief Minister also promised payment of an additional Rs 20,000 for the Indiramma Houses meant for fishermen.
Addressing a different meeting at Vodarevu, the Chief Minister said that the revenue from fish production were likely to be double in the next two years. He said the revenues would increase from present Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore within two years.
While interacting with the weavers community at Konijeti Chenethapuri at Nayunipalli, the Chief Minister assured the weavers that he would soon convene a meeting with Union Minister of State for Handlooms and Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi regarding the problems being faced by weavers in the State. However, he maintained that his government was taking all possible measures for the welfare of weavers' community and recently Rs 613 crores of weavers’ loans were waived off.
Earlier, the Chief Minister participated in the "Sagara Meenotsavam", ranching of fish and prawn seed into the sea in consonance with the concept of bio-diversity. Later, he also laid the foundation for four-lane road between Vetapalem and Chirala. He also and interact with the farmers at Agricultural Market Yard of Parchur and distributed eligibility cards and agricultural tools among them.
- INN
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