Chandigarh, March 6: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated that the government is examining the possibility of banning social media for children below 13 years to protect them from its ill effects. He said guidelines regarding this will be announced within 90 days. The Chief Minister mentioned that IT Minister Nara Lokesh has studied the issue of misuse and excessive exposure on social media and made certain recommendations.
Speaking in the Assembly session during the discussion on the Money Bill, the Chief Minister said the government is steering the state toward welfare and development. He said that in the last 20 months the coalition government has been leading the state from destruction to development and from crisis to welfare. Despite financial constraints, the government has made the Super Six schemes a success. During the 15-day Assembly session, discussions were held on the future of five crore people. These deliberations will shape the future of coming generations. He mentioned that the Rs 3.32 lakh crore budget was presented for the financial year.
The opposition party is avoiding the Assembly sessions and says it will attend only if given the Leader of Opposition status. “How is that possible?” the CM questioned. The previous government even mortgaged government assets to raise loans. Loans were taken at high interest rates of 12–13 percent, misusing public finances. The coalition government restructured loans worth Rs 43,298 crore, saving Rs 328 crore.
The Chief Minister said the Polavaram project will be dedicated to the nation before the Godavari Pushkaralu to provide water to farmers. With the Centre’s support, the Amaravati capital project is back on track. The government saved the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, which has now recorded profits for the first time, he said. As water security is extremely important for the state, several initiatives were launched in the last 20 months. By spending Rs 3,850 crore, the government extended the Handri-Neeva project to bring water to Kuppam. About 55 TMCs of water have been supplied to drought-prone districts like Anantapur. Even during summer, 628 TMCs of water are stored in reservoirs due to efficient water management. Groundwater levels have increased by 2.96 meters across the state.
Explaining the power sector, the Chief Minister said that the previous government imposed a Rs 32,000 crore true-up burden on people. For the first time in history, the state government implemented true-down, preventing a burden of Rs 4,420 crore on consumers.
Through the PM Surya Ghar scheme, free solar panels are being provided to SC/ST households so they can generate electricity on their rooftops.
The Chief Minister said that through 25 new policies, the government secured investments worth Rs 20 lakh crore, which could generate 23 lakh jobs. Tourism has been given industrial status to boost growth. Through the circular economy, waste is being converted into wealth. He said the NALA Act has been repealed as it became an obstacle to development and a source of corruption. Under the Jan Vishwas initiative, outdated laws are being abolished and necessary reforms introduced. The Assembly has approved a bill in this regard.
“In five years, the previous government built only 884 km of CC roads and 234 km of BT roads. In just 20 months, our government completed 4,998 km of CC roads in rural areas under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the state government will seek Supreme Court approval to establish a High Court bench in Kurnool. He added that by Ugadi, three lakh house-warming ceremonies will be organised.
Expressing serious concern over increasing white-collar crimes, digital crimes, and social media harassment, the Chief Minister warned of strict action against the guilty. He also expressed concern over the behaviour of leaders of some political parties who are encouraging violence.
The Chief Minister said that the previous government defiled the Tirumala Laddu prasadam. “This was not an accident but a deliberate act,” he said. A report by the NDDB clearly confirmed the use of adulterated ghee. Despite protests by Hindu religious institutions across the country, that party has not apologised.