Naidu unveils debt reform, water security and capital revival plan

Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu used a debate on the Money Bill in the Assembly to attack the previous regime's policies while outlining fiscal restructuring and a development pitch anchored in water security, capital revival and welfare integration. On the last day of the session, the assembly passed the Appropriation Bill. The house also adopted a resolution on the Atmanirbhar–Viksit Bharat Sankalp.Naidu said the govt "put the state back on track" over the last 20 months after "damaged systems" and "diverted central funds" under the earlier dispensation. He cited rescheduling Rs 43,298 crore debt—claiming Rs 328 crore savings—and said steps were underway to reschedule another Rs 1 lakh crore to create a Rs 1,658 crore cushion for welfare.On water and power, Naidu said Rs 3,850 crore was spent on Handri-Neeva to take water up to Kuppam. While 55 TMC was moved to Anantapur, reservoirs are presently holding 628 TMC even after the onset of summer. He noted that the groundwater rose 2.96 metres statewide. For the first time in history, the NDA govt implemented a "true-down", absorbing Rs 4,420 crore, Naidu said, adding that the power purchase price was brought down from Rs 5.19 to Rs 4.80 per unit. He said the state govt is racing ahead in installing free rooftop solar panels for SC/ST households under PM Surya Ghar.Naidu said Amaravati was "back on track" with the Centre's support and would take shape in 3 years, with MLAs and ministers to operate from the capital during future sessions. He claimed the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant returned to profit with state support.The CM announced a Family Benefit Management System card to integrate Central and state schemes. He said 25 new policies mobilised ₹20 lakh crore investments, with the potential to create 23 lakh jobs. He praised deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan for completing 4,998 km of CC roads in 20 months, goshalas and magic drains, and creating 9 crore person-days under NREGS.Targeting the opposition, Naidu said factionism and Maoism were gone from the state and the opposition party brought "rappa-rappa" politics. He attacked the previous regime over alleged adulteration of Tirumala laddu ghee, and asked why former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy did not offer apologies. He urged public representatives not to bring disrepute to the govt with their behaviour.