Prez to lay stone for skill academy

Tirupati: The government has decided to establish Dr BR Ambedkar Skill Training Academy (ASTA) in pilgrim city at a cost of Rs 25 crore. President Ram Nath Kovind will lay the foundation stone for the academy on September 1, during his two-day visit to Tirupati, said District Collector PS Pradyumna.

Highlights:

• Ambedkar Skill Training Academy will be constructed at Kothapalem at a cost of Rs 25 crore
• Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate SPMCW hospital with bed strength of 700

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday after reviewing the arrangements for President’s visit with district officials, the Collector said that the President’s tour programme was confirmed. The government will make grand arrangements for his visit. He thanked the government and SC Corporation Chairman and MD for approving the request of the district administration to establish ASTA in Tirupati. It will be established in Kothapalem near Renigunta.

During his maiden visit to the district, the President will also distribute sanction letters to some beneficiaries under ‘Stand up India’ programme, which the central and state governments were considering as one of the key programmes. As part of the programme, SC, ST and women entrepreneurs can get up to Rs 2 crore loans from banks to enable them to participate in the
economic growth of the nation.

Under land purchase scheme, poor SC and ST beneficiaries will get Rs 15 lakh worth of patta land. For this, the government has purchased private land in Tamballapalle and Valmikipuram areas. Some of the beneficiaries will receive the sanction letters from the President, Pradyumna said. The office of the President has given their consent for these programmes. Ram Nath Kovind will also inaugurate the 700-bedded hospital of SVIMS-Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women (SPMCW).

This programme is being held as part of the ongoing silver jubilee celebrations of SVIMS.The Collector said that the President will arrive at 3 pm on September 1 at Tirupati Airport and will proceed to Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur.

After darshan, he will inaugurate the medical college hospital in SVIMS campus and reach SV Arts College grounds where he will participate in the public meeting and lay the foundation stone for ASTA, and distribute sanction letters to the beneficiaries. The state government will honour the President in a civic reception in a grand way at Arts College grounds.

The programme will be held for one hour. Around 5,000 people are expected to attend the public meeting including students of SVIMS, SV Arts College and members of SHGs.

Kovind will participate in the ‘state dinner’ at Shilparamam in which 150 dignitaries from the district will also take part. Later, he will proceed to Tirumala and will have night stay at Sri Padmavathi Guest House.

The President and his family members will have darshan of Lord Venkateswara on September 2 morning. After that, he will reach Tirupati Airport and go back to New Delhi. Governor ESL Narasimhan and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will receive the President on his arrival from New Delhi and take part in all the programmes.