Naidu unveils universal health policy with free treatment upto Rs 2.5 lakh

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told the Assembly that the govt is simultaneously focusing on investments, infrastructure, IT, employment generation, healthcare, and education to transform Andhra Pradesh into a high-growth economy. He announced the launch of a universal health policy — the first of its kind in the country — that will provide free medical treatment up to ₹2.5 lakh for all citizens. Speaking in the Assembly on Wednesday, the chief minister said that steps are being taken to ensure affordable healthcare services. "Medical colleges are being established under the PPP model. PPP does not mean privatisation. All assets will remain with the govt and services will be delivered as per govt norms," asserted Naidu. He said that the Sanjeevani project is being implemented to create digital health records for every individual, and measures are underway to ensure a 100-bed hospital in every constituency.He said the govt is conducting regular parent-teacher meetings to improve outcomes in the education sector and correct the decline witnessed in recent years. Emphasising that primary education should be in the mother tongue, he said students must be equipped with global skills without creating confusion in the name of English medium. The govt, he added, is determined to produce globally competitive youth while safeguarding Telugu language and culture.The chief minister said the state's brand image suffered badly during the YSRCP regime, with reputed companies such as Amara Raja, Lulu Group and Franklin Templeton leaving the state. As per RBI data, 913 companies shut down between 2019 and 2023-24, he noted. The present govt introduced 26 policies to accelerate approvals and is developing industrial parks in all 175 constituencies. Incentives worth ₹210 crore were released to industries, he explained.Naidu said that investment proposals worth ₹13.25 lakh crore were secured, with the potential to create 16 lakh jobs at the recent investors' summit in Visakhapatnam. He said that about 6.28 lakh employment opportunities were generated across MSMEs, skill development, industries, food processing and govt recruitment. The chief minister said that they wanted to make AP a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047, with focused development of Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati as economic zones. He said major firms, including Google, Tata Consultancy Services and ArcelorMittal, are investing in the state.The chief minister said that a new tourism policy was formulated to promote large-scale employment, with ₹18,000 crore investments tied up through 102 MoUs, expected to generate 3.4 lakh jobs. "Key destinations such as Suryalanka Beach, Akhanda Godavari, Papikondalu and Gandikota will be developed, along with temple projects under the PRASAD scheme, to position the state as a major tourism hub," said Naidu.