On Day One, Andhra CM doles out goodies for poor

On his first day in the office the new Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy doled out goodies to different sections of society. Firstly, he reviewed the Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme, which will provide free treatment to poor patients.

Fifty-year-old Kiran, who was sworn-in on November 25, entered office at the secretariat for the first time on Wednesday and signed the first file renewing the Aarogyasri scheme, releasing of an amount of Rs 145.20 crore. This scheme is expected to benefit about 50 lakh people below poverty line in five districts across the state. He also increased the diet charges of patients and doctors in government hospitals across the state.

Stressing that his government will remain pro-poor and pro-farmer, the new CM also promised to open 300 more hostels for the students of the backward classes and extended the Abhayhastham scheme to 14 lakh more women. He approved the release of Rs 5.23 crore for opening of the hostels for backward classes boys and sanctioned Rs 3.16 lakh social security pensions.

All these schemes were launched by late Andhra CM Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.