Naidu Launches ‘Children as Wealth,’ Puts Ministers on Notice

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said the state government would roll out a special population management campaign from June, and announced a new scheme titled “Children as Wealth” to encourage population balance.

Naidu, who chaired the weekly cabinet meeting, told ministers that the scheme would offer special incentives for the third child and extend all government welfare programmes to families with three or more children.

Naidu asked ministers to actively counter what he described as misinformation being spread by the YSRCP on Amaravati construction costs and ministerial foreign study tours. He rejected allegations that capital construction was excessively priced, saying the works were being carried out at costs lower than comparable projects in other states. Ministers were told to respond to such allegations clearly and on time.

He also flagged his dissatisfaction with the government’s response to criticism over petrol and diesel shortages, saying ministers had not been firm enough in countering what he called false narratives on fuel supply.

Referring to the recent Singapore visit by ministers, Naidu said study tours must produce tangible results for the state. He was unambiguous: “Going and returning is not enough.” Ministers were asked to make presentations on what they had learnt and how those lessons could be applied in Andhra Pradesh.

He also asked ministers to build a working understanding of information technology and artificial intelligence, calling it essential for modern governance.

With the summer season intensifying, Naidu directed ministers to stay accessible and closely monitor drinking water supply, irrigation availability, reservoir levels, and the condition of canals and tanks. He urged them to engage continuously with the public on these issues.