CM prays to 'Telugu Thalli' for United AP

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (INN): Reiterating that he was strongly in favour of united Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday prayed to Telugu Thalli that the AP Formation Day should continue to be celebrated in future.

Speaking at the official AP Formation Day celebrations at NTR Stadium here, the Chief Minister said that there was uncertainty on the future of Andhra Pradesh State. He said he was not sure whether the State Formation Day would be celebrated in future or not. But he hoped that the status quo would be maintained.

The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh was the first State in the country which was formed on linguistic basis. While Potti Sriramulu sacrificed his life, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao quit the post of Chief Minister to seek one State for the Telugu speaking people.

He said several Telugus earned a name for themselves and the State in the world. Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, PV Narasimha Rao and several others also led the nation in different capacities.

Kiran Kumar Reddy said that on November 1st 1956, it was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who formed one State for the Telugu people and his policy was continued by Indira Gandhi.

He said that Indira Gandhi was in favour of a united Andhra Pradesh and while addressing the Parliament on December 21, 1972, she said that the future of Andhra Pradesh should be thought of for the next 100 years with a foresight. She openly announced that she was a staunch integrationist.

The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh was able to build big irrigation projects like Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriram Sagar, Srisailam Dam and others only as a big State as it provided political strength and financial stability.

Stating that that the State was on the path of development, he claimed that his government was providing equal growth opportunities for all individual, all regions and all sections of the State.

He said he has ensured a transparent, accountable and corruption-free government. Special focus was given to farmers, women, youth, students, SC, ST, BC and minorities in the State. He recalled that Andhra Pradesh was the first in the country to introduce a SC/ST Sub-Plan, he said.

Kiran Kumar Reddy said that his government was taking measures to complete the pending irrigation projects, provide drinking water, farm loans and input subsidy to farmers.

He said a first-of-kind "Bangaru Talli" scheme was launched for the development of girl child while "Stree Nidhi" scheme was introduced for economic empowerment of women. He also listed out various schemes being implemented by the State Government.

Chief Secretary Dr PK Mohanty, DGP B Prasada Rao, Ministers - Dr N Raghuveera Reddy, S Sailajanath, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Pithani Satyanarayana, TG Venkatesh and Danam Nagender attended the AP Day Celebrations.