Amaravati, Dec 29 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Monday described 2025 as a breakthrough year for the state, marked by large-scale investments, substantial employment generation and expanded welfare spending.

Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad said the state government had decided to increase the number of districts from 26 to 28 following wide public consultation, aiming to improve administrative efficiency and governance.

"Investments worth over Rs 13 lakh crore, with employment potential exceeding 16 lakh jobs, along with welfare spending crossing Rs 50,000 crore, have defined 2025 as a landmark year for Andhra Pradesh," he said.

Prasad added that the Cabinet reviewed the NDA coalition government’s performance during the year, noting progress in welfare delivery, economic growth, infrastructure expansion and governance reforms.

Direct benefit transfers reached 46 lakh farmers and over 67 lakh students, reinforcing inclusive growth and financial security, he said.

Revenue conferences were held statewide to implement district expansion, streamline issuance of Pattadar Passbooks (land documents) and strengthen local administration, he added.

The reorganisation will enhance planning, improve development delivery, and strengthen coordination among village, mandal and district-level authorities, the minister said.

He added that Rs 6,310 crore was credited to farmers under the 'Annadata Sukhibhava' scheme, while Rs 10,090 crore was disbursed to students through the 'Thalliki Vandanam' programme under the Super Six welfare initiatives.

He said the 'Stree Sakthi' free bus travel scheme for women logged over 3.25 crore journeys at Rs 1,144 crore, while free travel for persons with disabilities and the annual distribution of three free LPG cylinders to nearly two crore women strengthened social security.

Under 'NTR Bharosa' pensions, cumulative disbursements crossed Rs 50,000 crore, with Rs 33,000 crore paid annually, while 'Fishermen Bharosa' provided Rs 20,000 each to 1.25 lakh fishermen with an outlay of Rs 250 crore.

The government extended livelihood support to auto drivers, crediting Rs 436 crore to 2.90 lakh beneficiaries, while weavers received handloom and power loom units, and 204 Anna Canteens served over four crore subsidised meals.

Social justice measures included Rs 3,670 crore for minority welfare and honorariums for 8,427 pastors, imams, muezzins, priests, Nayee Brahmins and junior lawyers, underscoring the government’s focus on inclusive development.

Employment generation received a boost with the recruitment of 15,941 teachers under the Mega DSC, 5,757 police constables, and the introduction of gratuity for Anganwadi and ASHA workers.

Infrastructure initiatives included the removal of 84 lakh tonnes of garbage, allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for road repairs, Rs 3,000 crore for new road construction, and the expansion of irrigation projects, including Handri Neeva canal works and groundwater recharge, benefiting the Rayalaseema region and the Polavaram project.

Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Tirupati were identified as key regions under the three-region development strategy, with major IT and quantum computing investments planned. These include Google–Reliance data centres, TCS and Cognizant operations, and the Amaravati Quantum Valley.

"During 2025, Andhra Pradesh attracted strong investor confidence, with 610 agreements signed at the CII Partnership Summit held in Vizag, proposing investments of over Rs 13 lakh crore and promising to create more than 16 lakh jobs," the minister said.

Thirteen State Investment Promotion Board meetings approved investments totalling Rs 8.55 lakh crore, while MSME parks in 175 constituencies and 23 industry-friendly policies further strengthened entrepreneurship and regional economic growth.

The revival of Panchayati Raj saw over 13,000 Gram Sabhas held in a single day, nearly 3,000 development works initiated, 4,000 km of village roads constructed under Palle Panduga, 4G digital connectivity extended to remote villages, and the release of 15th Finance Commission funds.

The 'Amarajeevi Jaladhara' programme aimed to provide tap water connections to every household at a cost of over Rs 3,000 crore, benefiting more than 1.2 crore people.

Civil Supplies Minister N Manohar said the state also achieved record paddy procurement, crediting Rs 8,120 crore to 5.48 lakh farmers within 24 hours, along with market support exceeding Rs 1,100 crore for crops such as tobacco, mango, cocoa, and onion.

Similarly, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav stated that health initiatives included digital healthcare, universal health coverage in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Tata Sanjeevani, and health check-ups for 75 lakh students.

Education reforms introduced mega parent–teacher meetings, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan kits, and transparency in teacher transfers, he added.

Power sector reforms targeted a reduction in power purchase costs, investments of Rs 3 lakh crore in clean energy plants, free solar rooftop units for 20 lakh SC/ST families, and an additional Rs 20,000 assistance for BC households.

The government also strengthened law enforcement through the Eagle Task Force to tackle ganja and drug-related crimes, and implemented data-driven governance, WhatsApp Governance, and disaster management initiatives to enhance speed and efficiency, the minister said.

The Cabinet expressed satisfaction that the outcomes of 2025 have laid a strong foundation for inclusive growth, social justice, and long-term development in the state, the ministers added. PTI MS GDK SSK