VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called upon every citizen to become a "Swachh Sevak" to achieve the goal of a Swachh Andhra Pradesh by 2029, announcing the abolition of the garbage tax implemented by the previous YSRC government.
"I instruct my officials to stop collecting the garbage tax, and this decision will be ratified in the upcoming Cabinet meeting," Naidu stated during the Swachhta Hi Seva program in Machilipatnam, held to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti.
He also assured that the Bandar Port would be completed by December 2025, aiming to restore the historical significance of the Port Town.
After having tea with a group of sanitation workers, Naidu, along with school students, participated in cleaning the roads. He emphasized the importance of respecting sanitation workers, whom he called the true "Swachh Sevaks," and urged everyone to refrain from speaking ill of them.
"We enjoy clean and healthy surroundings today thanks to the hard work of sanitation workers. I wholeheartedly appreciate their efforts," he remarked.
Reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement during the freedom struggle, he highlighted that Gandhian ideals serve as an inspiration for future generations. He also paid tribute to Pingali Venkaiah, the designer of the national flag, who presented the flag's design to Gandhi in 1921, stating that Machilipatnam's role in the freedom movement should not be overlooked.
Government Initiatives
The Chief Minister announced that the renowned Andhra Jatheeya Kalasala (National College) will now be managed by the state government, and a medical college named after Pingali Venkaiah will be constructed in Machilipatnam.
Recalling the "Clean and Green" initiative launched by the TDP government in 1998, which was his brainchild, Naidu stressed the community's desire for a clean environment. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat initiative, mentioning a proposal to present awards to Swachh Sevaks on October 2. Naidu criticized the previous government for imposing the garbage tax and neglecting hygiene maintenance, stating that more waste-to-energy plants would be established in the state.
He blamed the previous YSRC government for the Budameru floods and thanked all donors who contributed to flood relief efforts. He also criticized the YSRC for attempting to blame the NDA government for the recent temple chariot burning incident, stating that the current government has implemented sophisticated systems to quickly identify vandals, including the installation of CCTV cameras statewide to deter crime.
Naidu announced that the Deepam scheme will be implemented from Diwali to provide free cooking gas cylinders to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. He also promised protected drinking water to all households in the state through tap connections.
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the Bandar port construction. He stated that an additional 38.32 acres of land necessary for the port project would soon be allocated. The project, estimated to cost ₹3,669 crore, had stalled under the previous government. The initial phase will include the establishment of four berths, with plans for up to 16 berths in total. Once operational, the port is expected to significantly boost the development of Machilipatnam, which is close to the capital Amaravati. Naidu noted that converting the port into a container facility would greatly benefit both Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Telangana.