Vizag numero uno on all fronts: Collector

Visakhapatnam: The government is striving for the all-round development of the district, said Collector Pravin Kumar. He called upon the people to join hands to transform Visakhapatnam into an open defecation free district. 

The Collector, along with Commissioner of Police, hoisted the National Flag at Police Parade Grounds to mark the 69th Republic Day celebrations here on Friday. Earlier, the Collector received the guard of honour from the armed forces.

Addressing a massive gathering, Pravin Kumar said that Visakhapatnam is achieving first place in all fronts. As per the government’s directive, the administration has been concentrating to develop the agriculture and its allied sectors in the district.

The government extended financial help to the farmers to the tune of Rs 1,850 crore as crop loans and another Rs 1,100 crore as a short and long-term loans benefiting 4.14 lakh farmers in the district.

The government is also committed to develop the horticulture and Rs 11.10 crore funds were released in the present fiscal for multiple crops and encourage the commercial crops in the district, the Collector said.

The government is also committed to provide high standard medical assistance to the common man. Under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme, 48 corporate hospitals have been listed and another 17 government hospitals providing advanced medical services to the poor in the district, Pravin Kumar said.

Speaking about the welfare programmes and empowerment activities for SC, ST, Minorities, Brahmin and Kapu communities, he said that during 2016-17, Rs 10 crore worth of self- employment units were sanctioned to the Kapu youth in the district. As many as 6,700 beneficiaries have been benefited through BC Corporation and 4,674 beneficiaries already started their units in the present fiscal.

As a part of the houses for all programme, the government sanctioned 3,72,781 houses and out of them 3,08,223 houses were constructed till date.  The government is planning to organise community house warming celebrations in February, Pravin Kumar said. Giving top priority to the women empowerment, under the Chandranna Cheyutha scheme, for each SHG member, the government is extending Rs 10,000 capital investment.

Under the scheme, 5.13 lakh women have been benefitted and the government deposited Rs 508 crore to their bank accounts, he added. The Collector also explained about the industrial growth, investments, IT development, programmes for workers in unorganised sector and tourism development activities and tribal welfare programmes in the district.