Latest news with #GummadiSandhyaRani
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Former ganja ryots given commercial crop seeds, plants
Visakhapatnam: State home minister V Anitha and women and child & tribal welfare minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani distributed plants and seeds—such as silver oak, coffee, jamun, and jackfruit—to tribal farmers previously engaged in ganja cultivation, offering them alternative livelihood options. Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha emphasised that tribals are synonymous with goodness and highlighted the uniqueness of the Paderu and Araku regions. She noted that since the formation of the NDA government, special attention has been given to eradicating cannabis cultivation. A large-scale anti-drug awareness programme titled Chaitanyam - 2025 was held on Friday at the Paderu Government Junior College grounds, aiming to build a cannabis-free society. The minister stated that awareness drives are being conducted statewide through the Eagle Team. tnn
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Govt. distributes 2 crore saplings in tribal regions to curb ganja cultivation
In a step to curb ganja cultivation in the tribal regions, Minister for Tribal Affairs Gummadi Sandhya Rani announced that the government will distribute nearly two crore horticulture plants to farmers in the Agency areas in Alluri Sitharama Raju district. The announcement was made during 'Chaitanyam 2025,' an awareness meet organised in Paderu The Minister said that the NDA government is committed to eradicating ganja from the State. As an alternative to ganja, tribal farmers will receive fruit-bearing plants such as silver oak, sapota, mango, guava, jamun, lemon, jackfruit, and custard apple. The Minister said: 'Almost 90% of ganja cultivation has already been eradicated in the district.' She highlighted how tribal-grown coffee has achieved international recognition and revealed that plans are underway to expand coffee plantations to one lakh acres. She further said that the government is making efforts to improve road infrastructure in remote tribal regions, with ₹1,000 crore earmarked for road construction over the next few years Home Minister V Anitha expressed concerns over tribal youth being exploited by ganja smugglers and middlemen. She said: 'Of the 900 ganja smugglers currently in Visakhapatnam Central Jail, nearly 700 are tribal youth misled by middlemen to illegally cultivate ganja.' The Home Minister also said that assets worth ₹3.73 crore have been seized from those involved in ganja-related crimes. District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar shared that fruit saplings are being planted across 35,000 acres through the NREGS scheme, with a budget of ₹54 crore. He said that, following Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's directives, coffee cultivation will be scaled up significantly in the next three to four years. District SP Amit Bardar said that around 93 acres of ganja crops have been identified and destroyed using drone surveillance. He stated that 325 families previously engaged in ganja farming are now being supported with alternate livelihoods. Awareness programs have been organised in over 1,600 villages to educate people on the dangers and legal consequences of ganja cultivation. Eagle IG Ravi Krishna urged citizens to report illegal activities through the toll-free number 1972, assuring confidentiality for informants. During the programme, the dignitaries distributed saplings and ragi seeds to farmers. Officials also launched the 'Swachha Sankalpam' poster.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Focus on inter-departmental coordination: Collector
Paderu (ASR District): District collector AS Dinesh Kumar has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the Swarna Andhra Vision 2047 initiative. He said that Tribal Welfare and Women & Child Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani will review developmental activities with district officials at the Collectorate on Friday. The collector chaired a coordination meeting with officials at the Collectorate conference hall on Thursday. He emphasised the need for inter-departmental coordination in preparing and implementing the district-level action plan under Vision 2047. Key focus areas to be reviewed by Minister Sandhya Rani include Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, Women & Child Welfare, and Poverty Eradication (P4). He added that the minister will later participate in local programmes along with Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha. The collector further stated that horticulture saplings would be distributed to farmers who have given up ganja cultivation, as part of the state's rehabilitation initiative. He instructed officials to make foolproof arrangements for the visit of both ministers. Joint Collector Dr MJ Abhishek Goud, Sub-Collector Shauryaman Patel, In-charge DRO MVS Lokeswar Rao, District Agriculture Officer SBS Nand, District Horticulture Officer A Ramesh Kumar Rao, District Education Officer P Brahmaji Rao, DWMA PD E Vidyasagar, DRDA PD V Murali, and others attended.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Women and Child Welfare Minister visits girl attacked by aunt and neighbours in Nellore district
Women and Child Welfare, and Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani on Wednesday visited the girl, who who was brutally attacked by her aunt and neighbours in Indukurupeta mandal of SPSR Nellore district and undergoing treatment at a private hospital. She said that it was inhumane to torture a 10-year-old girl with a hot ladle over suspicion of stealing mobile phone. Along with District Collector O. Anand, she inquired the doctors about the victim's health condition. She advised the doctors to provide better treatment for the girl's speedy recovery. She said that the government will take full responsibility for her education and provided financial assistance of ₹50,000. Later, the Minister reviewed various welfare programmes being implemented by the Tribal and Women and Child Welfare Departments in the district. Addressing the media at Tikkana Pranganam in the Collectorate, she announced that the tribals in the district will be given Aadhaar and ration cards by August 15. 'Aadhaar card and ration card are the basis for receiving several welfare schemes provided by the government, and it is unfortunate that the innocent tribals in the district still do not have them,' the Minister said, directing the officials to immediately take steps to deliver Aadhaar and ration cards at the doorsteps of the tribal people. 206 roads 'The primary duty of ITDAs is to provide drinking water and irrigation infrastructure in remote villages. With the support from the Central government, ₹1,300 crore was spent on tribal development last year. About ₹550 crore was spent on laying 206 roads through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY),' she said. Ms. Sandhya Rani said, 'RO plants were installed in all the tribal welfare hostels across the State. About ₹18 crore was sanctioned for the development of Gurukul schools in Kavali, Tirupati, KV Palli and other areas under Nellore ITDA. Twelve students from Gurukul schools have secured medical seats and seven students bagged seats in IITs.' 'The coalition government will work hard to encourage and bring up the poor tribals in every way so that they do not remain backward. Around 16 tribal welfare schemes that were stopped by the previous government have been revived. The Chief Minister will soon take steps to create a special corporation for Yanadi tribes,' she added.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
GoM formed to make recommendations on job promotions
Vijayawada: The state govt has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to make recommendations on reservations in promotions for govt employees. The GoM includes social welfare minister Dr Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, tribal welfare minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani, civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar, revenue minister Anagani Satya Prasad, and health minister Satya Kumar Yadav. The social welfare secretary will serve as the convenor. Special invitees include the special chief secretary (Services, HRM), the chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA), the principal secretary (GAD), and the law secretary. The GoM has the authority to summon additional officials as required. Previously, the govt had formed a high-level committee led by the CCLA to study the matter. However, acknowledging the complex social implications of reservation in promotions — such as its impact on equity, representation, and service — the govt opted for a more holistic approach through the GoM. It aims to review existing advisory committee reports and officer panel recommendations. Chief secretary Vijayanand stated that the Supreme Court's M Nagaraj and Jarnail Singh judgments, along with an Andhra Pradesh High Court order in W.P. No. 4415/2016 and related cases, provided key guidelines for implementing reservations in promotions for SCs and STs. These include applying the rule of reservation and the principle of consequential seniority under constitutional provisions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo "The GoM will look into the applicability of the Rule of Reservation in promotions as per the existing guidelines, constitutional provisions and verdicts of Supreme Court and the erstwhile high court of judicature at Hyderabad for Telangana and the Andhra Pradesh directions in the matter for recommending appropriate course of action for implementing the directions of the Supreme Court and High Court in a legally sustainable and socially sensitive manner," said chief secretary.
