Govt gives choice of cash benefit or laptop to Amma Vodi students

Nellore: The beneficiaries of Amma Vodi scheme will have an option to either take Rs 15,000 or prefer a laptop.

Launching the second phase of Amma Vodi programme, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said the students of ninth class to twelfth class are eligible for the choice.

He said last year the government had provided the support for 42-lakh beneficiaries and this year it has been increased to 44.48 lakh. The Chief Minister claimed that the number of students, who migrate from private schools to the government schools, has increased significantly because of the programme.

The Government, he said, had focussed on mid-day meals and improved the quality of food, and introduced the English medium in government schools for the convenience of the poor who cannot afford education in corporate educational institutions.

The Chief Minister said that they have started improving conditions in the schools spending huge money on infrastructure. Hereafter, volunteers will visit the houses of the students who fail to attend school for 2 to 3 days. This would increase responsibility among parents and follow up on the attendance of the students.

Quoting the UNICEF report, the Chief Minister said that about 12-22 per cent of girls were dropping out of school due to lack of toilets. Hence, the government was deducting Rs 1,000 from the Amma Vodi money of Rs 15,000 per student and was giving it for maintenance of toilets in schools. He called upon the students and parents to bring to the notice of the government if schools do not provide toilet facilities.

State ministers, MPs, MLAs, and district collector along with other leaders of YSRCP were present on the occasion.