AP Cabinet approves renaming Konaseema district after Ambedkar

Vijayawada/Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Friday cleared the proposal to rename the Konaseema district as Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.

A month after violence rocked the Kapu-dominated Amalapuram town over the proposal to rename on receipt of several representations, the Cabinet unanimously approved the decision. Orders to this effect are expected anytime.

The gazette notification to rename the district was issued on May 18. To prevent any untoward incidents, extra forces have been deployed in the new district, which was carved out of East Godavari district. The district headquarters of the new district is located at Amalapuram.

The Cabinet also extended the landholding limit for availing power subsidies being given to aquaculture farmers from five acres to 10 acres. There were reports that due to increase in operational cost, some of the farmers in undivided East, West Godavari, Nellore and Krishna districts have threatened to declare a crop holiday.

The Cabinet which met under chairmanship Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Secretariat at Velagapudi ratified the decisions taken at the recent meeting of State Industries Promotion Board (SIPB) which included investment of Rs.15,000 crore by Adani Group and others.

In response to MoU signed with Byju's to improve teaching in government schools, the Cabinet approved a proposal to give tablets to all students from 8th to 10th class. The government has already taken a decision to make English medium compulsory in all schools to improve their prospects of getting jobs. An estimated 4.7 lakh tablets will be given.

As per the welfare calendar released recently, the government will distribute benefits under Vidya Kanuka on July 5. For the Jagananna MIG Smart Townships, the Cabinet decided to allow private parties as per the norms and conditions laid down by the government in its new policy.

I&PR Minister Ch. Venugopal Krishna told the media while briefing on the decisions said the meeting approved adding 5.48 lakh eligible mothers to get benefits under Amma Vodi for the education of their children.