Jagan promises transparency

Amaravati: YSRCP leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy immediately after swearing in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday ordered enhancement of old age pension christened as YSR Pension.

The existing Rs 2,000 pension would be increased to Rs 3,000 in the coming four years. From June Rs 2,250 will be disbursed. The pension will be increased by Rs 250 every year till it reaches Rs 3,000.

Addressing a mammoth public meeting after the swearing-in ceremony, Jaganmohan Reddy assured people: "I will always be with you." Stating that he personally witnessed the problems of people during his padayatra, Reddy said that he prepared a two-page manifesto which would be his Bible, Quran and Bhagavad Gita in delivering the governance. There was no point in presenting a huge document only to deceive people, he said.

Reddy said that he would try to extend the benefits of Navaratnalu, party's nine pre-poll promises, to every family irrespective of their party affiliations.

Four lakh youth would be appointed as village volunteers by August 15 for providing door delivery of all government welfare programmes. For this purpose, rural youth would be appointed as volunteers.

A call centre would be set up in Secretariat to address the grievances of people. Village secretariats would be developed.

Employment would be provided to 10 youth of different sections of people from each village from October 2.

Over 1.6 lakh youth will get employment in village secretariats. People can apply directly in village secretariat for any government welfare programmes which will be sanctioned in 72 hours.

The Chief Minister said reverse tendering policy would be introduced. The money saved through reverse tendering policy would be made public.

The previous government resorted to irregularities in purchasing solar or wind power.

While the other states are paying Rs 2.60 paise and Rs 3 per unit of solar power the state government was paying Rs 4.84 and Rs 6 per unit on the pretext of peak hours demand.

Transparency would be maintained in tendering system. He appealed to the High Court Chief Justice to appoint a judicial commission. All the tenders would be forwarded to the judicial commission and the tenders would be awarded after clearance from the judicial commission.

The Chief Minister said that he would revamp the administration in six months to bring transparency and to curb corruption. "Give me six months to one year. I will root out corruption from top to bottom," he said.