In Jogulamba Gadwal District, grand celebrations were held on August 15, 2024, to mark the 78th Independence Day at the Police Parade Grounds. The event was filled with excitement and well-organized by the district administration to ensure a memorable day.
AP Jitender Reddy, the Special Government Representative and Advisor to the Government (Sports Affairs), was the chief guest. He unfurled the national flag and was honored by the police force. Reddy extended his Independence Day greetings to everyone present, including notable citizens, officials, and the public.
During his speech, Jitender Reddy discussed various initiatives and development programs by the state government in the district. He assured that the government is committed to addressing public issues quickly, with many welfare programs launched within 48 hours of coming into power. The ongoing Indiramma Gram Sabhas are being held to gather public applications for effective implementation of different schemes.
Reddy announced several benefits under government schemes, such as free travel for women and transgender individuals in RTC buses. This initiative has helped over 8.63 million women in the district with a subsidy of Rs. 30.68 crores. Under the Rajiv Aarogyasri scheme, medical coverage has been increased to Rs. 5 to 10 lakhs, aiding 3,830 underprivileged people in the district to access corporate medical care.
The Indiramma Housing Scheme aims to provide homes for poor families, with 4.5 lakh houses under construction statewide, including 3,500 in each constituency. The Mahalakshmi Scheme offers cooking gas at a subsidized rate of Rs. 500, benefiting 87,751 people in the district. They have distributed 48,683 gas cylinders with a subsidy of Rs. 1.29 crore.
Moreover, the Grihajyoti program provides free electricity for usage up to 200 units, with 140,440 zero bills issued in the district, benefiting 76,358 families. A subsidy of Rs. 3.67 crore has been provided. Reddy highlighted the government’s historic achievement of waiving farm loans up to Rs. 2 lakh, benefiting 41,638 farmers in the district with a total waiver of Rs. 318.83 crore.
The celebrations featured cultural performances by students from various schools, which entertained the audience. Bal Bhavan students performed a patriotic dance, KGBV Undavelli girls displayed a pyramid act, SR Vidyaniketan students showcased martial arts, and KGBV Gadwal girls performed a dance on the importance of trees. Pragnya Vidyalaya students delivered a performance full of patriotic spirit.
Awards were presented to outstanding officials from various government departments. Reddy and other officials visited stalls by different departments, and the district welfare department distributed electronic and regular tricycles to differently-abled individuals.
Earlier, District Collector BM Santosh hoisted the national flag at the Integrated District Offices Complex (IDOC) and honored freedom fighters. The event was attended by Nagar Kurnool MP Mallu Ravi, District SP Srinivas Rao, Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, Alampur MLA Vijayudu, and other officials, representatives, and students.
