Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that a dedicated platform is being prepared to enable the wealthy to support the underprivileged under the P4 model. The ‘Zero Poverty P4′ programme, the brainchild of Naidu, is set to be launched on Ugadi. The CM held a meeting with officials on Monday to review the final structure of the model.
Pointing out that participation in P4 is voluntary and no one should be pressurised to contribute, the chief minister urged NRIs to take part in the initiative, as they did for the ‘Janmabhoomi’ programme implemented in his previous tenure. The platform is open to anyone willing to offer support, and the state govt will limit its role to connecting the donors with the beneficiaries. There will be no additional financial aid to the programme from the state.
Donors will be called ‘Margadarsi’, and the families which receive the support would be called ‘Bangaru Kutumbam’. Naidu stressed on the need to inspire the affluent to step forward and contribute, ensuring that the selection of beneficiaries is free from errors. The final list of beneficiaries will be determined transparently through gram sabhas and ward sabhas to avoid disputes, he said.
Reiterating that P4 is independent of the govt’s welfare schemes and is aimed at uplifting the most disadvantaged sections of the society, Naidu instructed officials to ensure that there is no public confusion regarding the programme. For the Ugadi launch event in Amaravati, the govt is planning to bring one participant from every village. “The ultimate goal is to eradicate poverty and improve living standards of people. In the first phase, 20 lakh families will benefit, and the programme will continue till the state achieves its zero poverty goal,” he added.
Meanwhile, in view of the soaring temperatures across the state, the CM directed officials of municipal, panchayat raj, health, forest, disaster management, and revenue depts to take all measures to ensure that no region in the state faces drinking water crisis. He instructed disaster management officials to gather advance information on rising temperatures and alert the public so that they can take necessary precautions. He emphasised the need for preventive measures to avoid heatwave-related deaths.
Officials were asked to set up hydration centres to distribute buttermilk and drinking water in markets, bus stands, labour hubs, and other crowded areas, and take the support of voluntary organisations in the setting up of such centres.
“Focus on drought-prone areas in Rayalaseema and Prakasam dists, where livestock face drinking water shortage. Make additional arrangements to provide water to animals and birds to prevent dehydration during the summer,” the CM said.
