The beneficiary of that time is making policies for women today. This is living evidence. The girl who was born is not a burden but is a Mahalakshmi to the house  -N Chandrababu Naidu

metro india news  I amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reiterated the TDP-led NDA government’s commitment to women’s empowerment. Speaking in the Assembly, he pointed out that while women make up 50 per cent of the population, gender equity remains elusive despite global advancements. The government will remain committed to women’s empowerment, be it today, tomorrow and always, Naidu said.

The CM recalled that it was the TDP government which, way back in 1995, decided to empower DWACRA women. He also said that it was the TDP government which has given 33 per cent reservation to women in education, jobs and politics. He recalled that IAS officer Suryakumari who was selected as a Group One officer in 1996 is now serving as the Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development. “The beneficiary of that time is making policies for women today. This is living evidence. The girl who was born is not a burden but is a Mahalakshmi to the house,” he stated. 

The Chief Minister also recollected how a deposit of Rs 5,000 was made in the name of girl child and said bicycles were purchased for girls also. He stated how Pratibha Bharti has been given an opportunity as speaker in the year 1999.

According to the chief minister, every programme designed by the NDA government of TDP, BJP, and Janasena is aligned to empower women. Naidu also called for open discussions on population issues, particularly as he advocates for improving the Total Fertility Rate (TFR). To encourage higher birth rates in the state, he announced that maternity leave benefits would be extended for as many children as a woman gives birth to.

Highlighting the importance of menstrual hygiene, he said the government would establish counselling centres and install sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators. Expressing concern over the high prevalence of caesarean section (C-section) births in Andhra Pradesh—reportedly the highest in the country at 70 per cent—Naidu stressed the need to "reverse this trend".

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