Category: NATIONAL

Visakhapatnam, December 27:
City police on Friday arrested a man posing as a doctor at King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam for allegedly cheating a father seeking a kidney transplant for his child.

The accused, identified as Immandhi Jyothi Sivasri, allegedly demanded money under the pretext of arranging the transplant and then disappeared after receiving an advance payment of ₹1 lakh. Further investigation revealed his involvement in at least 33 similar fraud cases across the state.

Police recovered cash, a white apron and a stethoscope from the suspect, who had been impersonating medical professionals to exploit vulnerable patients. Authorities are questioning him to identify additional victims and gather more details.

Officials said strict action will be taken against anyone found indulging in such fraudulent activities, and urged the public to verify credentials before engaging medical services.

Amaravati, December 27:
The Andhra Pradesh Revenue Department has intensified efforts to address widespread issues arising from the ongoing land resurvey project, following a strict deadline set by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Farmers and landowners had raised complaints over mismatched records, boundary discrepancies and classification errors, prompting the government to deploy advanced survey tools and geo-referencing technologies to improve accuracy.

Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) G Sai Prasad has instructed officials to prioritise genuine grievances and engage directly with citizens to expedite resolutions. Field staff are being directed to correct errors transparently and prevent unnecessary legal disputes.

The government said that once current issues are resolved, the resurvey will provide more reliable and digitised land records, benefiting all stakeholders and reducing future conflicts over titles and boundaries.

Vijayawada, December 27:
NTR district has emerged as the top performer in Andhra Pradesh’s Key Performance Index (KPI) rankings, driven by robust economic indicators and projected growth. Officials said the district’s Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) is expected to rise significantly in 2025–26, reflecting effective governance and development efforts.

The Chief Minister’s office highlighted improvements in infrastructure, industrial output and social development outcomes as key contributors to the district’s performance. Officials added that similar strategies will be replicated across other districts to ensure balanced state-wide growth.

Analysts noted that leadership, coordinated planning and public engagement have helped NTR district achieve this milestone, reinforcing confidence among investors and local communities.

Srikakulam, December 23:
A severe whitefly infestation has caused extensive damage to coconut plantations in Andhra Pradesh’s Uddanam region, leading to a sharp decline in production. Farmers reported that coconut yields have dropped significantly, affecting livelihoods and causing financial stress across the farming community.

Agriculture officials said the infestation has spread rapidly due to favourable climatic conditions, impacting thousands of acres of farmland. Farmers expressed concern over rising input costs and falling output, stating that immediate intervention is required to control the pest and prevent further losses.

The state government has instructed agriculture and horticulture departments to intensify field inspections and promote integrated pest management practices. Officials assured farmers that technical support, awareness programmes and possible compensation measures are being examined to mitigate the crisis and restore crop productivity.

Andhra Pradesh, December 23:
The Andhra Pradesh Bar Council has approved financial assistance and welfare measures for lawyers, including support for medical emergencies, death benefits and retirement-related aid. The decision was taken during a welfare committee meeting aimed at strengthening social security for legal professionals.

Bar Council members said the initiative would provide much-needed relief to advocates facing financial difficulties, especially during medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. The move is expected to benefit lawyers across districts, particularly those practicing in lower courts.

The council reiterated its commitment to improving welfare schemes and ensuring that the legal fraternity receives adequate institutional support.

Vijayawada, December 23:
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the Andhra Pradesh government will provide a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000 to pastors across the state as part of welfare support measures. The amount will be directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The Chief Minister said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive development. He added that support programmes for various sections of society are being implemented transparently to ensure financial stability and dignity.

Community representatives welcomed the announcement, stating that the assistance would help pastors meet basic needs and continue their service to society without financial hardship.

Vijayawada, December 23:
In a major boost to maternal healthcare, the Andhra Pradesh government has introduced Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies (TIFFA) scan facilities in seven secondary-level government hospitals across the state. The initiative aims to improve early detection of fetal abnormalities and ensure better prenatal care.

Health officials said the new facilities will reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals and make advanced diagnostic services accessible to women in semi-urban and rural areas. The move is expected to benefit thousands of pregnant women every month by enabling timely medical intervention.

The government said strengthening public healthcare infrastructure remains a top priority, with a special focus on women and child health. More hospitals are expected to be covered under the programme in the coming months.

Visakhapatnam, December 23:
The PESA Mahotsav, a two-day cultural and governance event, began in Visakhapatnam on Monday with the objective of promoting awareness about the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA). The event highlights the importance of tribal self-governance, traditional knowledge systems and cultural heritage.

Leaders and officials participating in the event underlined the role of PESA in empowering tribal communities and strengthening grassroots democracy. Cultural programmes, exhibitions and interactive sessions are being organised to showcase tribal art forms, customs and governance practices.

The state government reiterated its commitment to implementing PESA provisions effectively and ensuring that tribal communities actively participate in decision-making processes related to land, forests and local resources.

Amaravati, December 22:
The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday conducted a comprehensive review of the implementation of key welfare schemes across the state, focusing on delivery efficiency, beneficiary reach and ground-level impact. Senior officials presented district-wise updates to the state leadership, highlighting progress made in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare and social welfare.

During the review, emphasis was laid on ensuring timely disbursal of benefits under flagship programmes, resolving pending grievances and improving coordination between departments. Officials were instructed to closely monitor last-mile delivery, particularly in rural and tribal areas, to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not left out due to procedural delays or documentation issues.

The government reiterated its commitment to transparent governance and people-centric administration, directing district collectors to strengthen field-level inspections and digital tracking mechanisms. The review meeting concluded with instructions to submit follow-up reports within stipulated timelines, underscoring the state’s focus on effective implementation and accountability in welfare governance.

Srikakulam, December 23:
A severe whitefly infestation has caused extensive damage to coconut plantations in Andhra Pradesh’s Uddanam region, leading to a sharp decline in production. Farmers reported that coconut yields have dropped significantly, affecting livelihoods and causing financial stress across the farming community.

Agriculture officials said the infestation has spread rapidly due to favourable climatic conditions, impacting thousands of acres of farmland. Farmers expressed concern over rising input costs and falling output, stating that immediate intervention is required to control the pest and prevent further losses.

The state government has instructed agriculture and horticulture departments to intensify field inspections and promote integrated pest management practices. Officials assured farmers that technical support, awareness programmes and possible compensation measures are being examined to mitigate the crisis and restore crop productivity.