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TDP spokesperson Achanta Sunitha said the Andhra Pradesh NDA government has strengthened welfare measures for Anganwadi workers through gratuity, infrastructure development and digital support.
Mangalagiri: TDP State Spokesperson Achanta Sunitha on Monday said the NDA coalition government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has fulfilled several promises made to Anganwadi workers while strengthening maternal and child welfare programmes across Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing the media at the TDP Central Office, Sunitha said the government has extended the Talliki Vandanam scheme to the children of Anganwadi workers, benefiting more than 17,000 children. She described the move as part of the government's commitment to improving the welfare of Anganwadi families.
She alleged that the previous YSRCP government neglected Anganwadi workers and failed to provide even basic infrastructure at many centres, including drinking water, fans, mats and other essential facilities.
According to Sunitha, the coalition government has prioritised the modernisation of Anganwadi centres under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh and Women & Child Welfare Minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani. She said the government has allocated Rs.86 lakh to improve infrastructure and supplied teaching-learning materials, educational charts and play equipment to create a better learning environment for children.
She also highlighted the distribution of 5G smartphones to more than 58,000 Anganwadi workers at a cost of Rs.76 crore, stating that the initiative would improve service delivery and reduce operational challenges.
Calling the introduction of gratuity benefits a landmark decision, Sunitha said Andhra Pradesh has become one of the few states to provide such benefits to Anganwadi workers despite an additional annual financial commitment of nearly Rs.20 crore. She added that over 5,000 mini Anganwadi centres have been upgraded, resulting in better salaries and service conditions for workers.
Sunitha further said the government has launched initiatives such as Bala Sanjeevani, benefiting nearly seven lakh mothers and children, while strengthening nutrition programmes, preschool education and early childhood learning.
Criticising the previous administration, she alleged that several promises to Anganwadi workers remained unfulfilled and claimed that workers faced police action and administrative pressure during protests over their demands.
Sunitha said the coalition government is implementing its commitments in a phased manner while maintaining fiscal discipline. She appealed to Anganwadi workers not to be influenced by political campaigns and assured them that the government remains committed to improving their welfare as well as the quality of care and education provided to children across the State.
