Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has cleared a series of welfare, infrastructure, and investment projects, with a landmark decision to launch a Universal Health Insurance Scheme under a hybrid model combining PM-JAY and Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva.
Universal Health Insurance Scheme
- Coverage: ~5 crore people (all families except Employees’ Health Scheme).
- Annual Coverage: Up to ₹25 lakh per family.
- Beneficiaries:
- 1.43 crore economically weaker families.
- 20 lakh additional families (including working journalists).
- Hybrid Model:
- Claims up to ₹2.5 lakh → handled by insurance companies.
- ₹2.5 lakh–₹25 lakh → borne by NTR Vaidya Seva Trust.
- Hospitals Covered: 2,493 empanelled hospitals.
- Procedures Covered: 3,257 procedures free of cost.
- Pre-Authorisation: Approvals for treatment within 6 hours; monitored by a control room under NTR Trust.
Significance: Makes AP the first state to attempt full-scale universal health insurance with a hybrid financing structure.
Medical Infrastructure
- 10 New Medical Colleges under PPP model:
- Locations: Adoni, Madanapalle, Markapuram, Pulivendula, Penukonda, Palakollu, Amalapuram, Narsipatnam, Bapatla, Parvathipuram.
- Admissions to begin: 2027–28 academic year.
Gold & Industry Clusters
- Mangalagiri Gold Cluster Scheme:
- Land pooling of 78.01 acres at Atmakuru (Mangalagiri Mandal, Guntur district).
- Aim: Develop a Gem & Jewellery Park to support local goldsmiths.
- Electronics Investment:
- 26.70 acres allotted at Naidupet.
- Investment: ₹1,595 crore.
- Jobs: 2,168 direct employment opportunities.
Infrastructure & Urban Development
- Amaravati Works:
- APCRDA authorised to award L1 bid for trunk infrastructure (roads, drains, utilities, plantations).
- Minor project nomenclature change: from “desilting sand” → “desilting the riverfront” of Krishna River near Prakasam Barrage.
- Building Regulations:
- Regularisation of 59,375 unauthorised constructions (as on 31 Aug 2025).
- Proposal to raise maximum permissible height of residential buildings from 18m to 24m.
Welfare Schemes
- Deepam 2.0 (LPG Distribution):
- Distribution of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders to 23,912 households in 16 districts (especially agency/tribal regions).
- Beneficiaries with 5 kg cylinders can upgrade to 14.2 kg connections, ensuring subsidy parity.
Transport & Tax Reforms
- AP Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2025:
- Green tax revised → fixed rates:
- ₹1,500 for light transport vehicles.
- ₹3,000 for heavy vehicles (tractors, trailers for commercial use).
- Replaces quarterly slab system → easing operator costs.
- Green tax revised → fixed rates:
Higher Education
- Amendments to AP Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2016:
- Removed mandatory joint degree certification for greenfield & brownfield universities.
- Aim: Improve academic autonomy & research capacity.
Irrigation
- ₹5.7 crore approved for repair & maintenance of 392 irrigation structures across the state.
Key Facts
- Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Scheme: Launched in 2014 (successor to Rajiv Aarogyasri in undivided Andhra Pradesh).
- PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana):
- Launched in 2018; world’s largest government-funded healthcare scheme.
- Provides ₹5 lakh per family annually to 50 crore Indians.
- Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA): Established in 2014 for Amaravati’s planning & development.
- Prakasam Barrage: Built across Krishna River; originally constructed in 1855; key irrigation & flood regulation structure in AP.
- Deepam Scheme: State-level welfare program launched in 1999 to provide LPG connections to poor women.
- Mangalagiri: Known for its handloom sarees and now expanding into a gold cluster hub.