Decision on revival of G.O. 3 soon, says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu says that the government is actively exploring ways to revive G.O. No. 3, and that a decision on it will be announced soon.

“Deliberations are underway on the G.O. and in what form it can be brought back to ensure maximum benefit to the tribal communities,” Mr. Naidu said while addressing a public meeting organised on the occasion of the International Day of Worlds Indigenous Peoples, at Lagisipalli village of Paderu mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district on Saturday.

“Several suggestions have been received on the way forward. A small mistake can cause further delay, which is why a proactive and carefully considered approach is essential,” the Chief Minister observed.

The G.O No. 3 states that only local tribal people are eligible for government jobs in the Scheduled Areas. Tribal people have been demanding that the G.O., which was quashed by the Apex court in 2020, be reinstated as it safeguards their employment rights and prevents non-tribals from taking up positions meant for local tribals.

Mr. Naidu asserted that the NDA Government was consistently striving to improve infrastructure, raise the living standards, and boost the incomes of the tribal communities in the district.

Welfare schemes

“Currently, the government is providing social security pensions under NTR Bharosa to 3,77,051 tribal people every month and spending about ₹1,595 crore annually on the scheme. The government is also providing 200 units of free electricity per month to 4.82 lakh tribal households. Soon, the government will also begin installation of free rooftop solar panels,” Mr. Naidu said.

He further said that under the Thalliki Vandanam scheme, the government deposited ₹642 crore directly into the bank accounts of the mothers of 4,86,803 tribal students studying in Classes 1 to 12.

Skill development

He said the government would establish skill development centres to impart training to tribal youths in sectors such as tourism, food processing, handicrafts etc.

“Minister of HRD and IT Nara Lokesh released ₹45 crore on August 8, exclusively for the construction of 373 new school buildings,” the Chief Minister said.

The government was also paying special attention to the healthcare of tribal communities. He said a monthly pension of ₹10,000 was being provided to 1,487 tribal people suffering from sickle cell anaemia. “Keeping pregnant women in view, the government has strengthened 76 birth waiting halls to avoid carrying them in traditional dolis. Additionally, 35 new buildings are under construction and 15 others are being renovated,” he added.

Araku Coffee cultivation

Referring to Araku Coffee, Mr. Naidu said the government was considering expanding its cultivation to another one lakh acres.

“Currently, coffee is being cultivated in an extent of 2.58 lakh acres spread across 11 mandals, supporting the livelihood of 2.46 lakh tribal people. Additionally, cherries are being cultivated in an extent of 1.80 lakh acres, producing 90,000 tonnes annually,” he said.

Mr. Naidu appreciated the tribal farmers for cultivating not only mangoes, sapota, cashew, jackfruit, jamun, lemon, and custard apple but also premium crops such as saffron.

Doli-free district

On road connectivity, Mr. Naidu said that about 269 km of BT roads had been laid under the aegis of the NHAI to connect 203 tribal hamlets at a cost of ₹200 crore in one year. “Currently, NH works worth ₹8,570 crore are underway, covering 515 km across tribal districts,” he said, and assured that all the 1,483 habitations in the Agency would have road connectivity with a budget of ₹2,850 crore in the next few years, making ASR district a doli-free destination.

The Chief Minister also announced that the filling of teacher posts through the DSC would be completed by the end of this month.

Tourism clusters

Mr. Naidu further said that Araku, Lambasingi and Maredumilli were being developed as tourism clusters. “In the days to come, the government will provide financial support to set up 1,000 homestays in the tribal areas,” he added.

Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani, district Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar, and Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar were present.

The Chief Minister later visited various stalls that displayed products manufactured by the tribal people.