Union Minister for Panchayatraj and Rural Development, Dr.C.P.Joshi assured the Government of Andhra Pradesh all help and maximum assistance for all the Centrally sponsored schemes including National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). The Union Minister appreciated the work so far done by Andhra Pradesh in various rural development and poverty alleviation programmes including women empowerment.

"Your departments and officers have done an exclellent job. The results are very good. We will take note of all this. I have seen the presentation by various departments on different schemes. I have seen your requirements and requests. I will discuss these with my officials and will come to your help. I assure you that I will do the maximum possible in different programmes", Dr Joshi said.

After a detailed presentation to the Union Minister on NREGS, Poverty eradication through social mobilisation and empowerment of rural poor women--the A.P. Experience & YSR Abhayahashtham by the Rural Development department, Panchayatraj and rural roads by the panchayatraj department etc., the Chief Minister K. Rosaiah requested the Union Minister for all possible assistance from the Government of India towards these schemes.

The Chief Minister also had separate discussions on the State's needs with the Union Minister at Lake View Guest House. He was assisted by the State Ministers and top officials. The Union Minister also went through an exhibition by the Rural Development department and the Society for Eradication of Rural Poverty (SERP) and had interaction with the SHG women group members on various schemes.

The Chief Minister told the Union Minister that the State which faced adverse whether conditions like drought and unprecedented floods one after the other. is passing through a crucial phase. Hence Andhra Pradesh needs all assistance from the Centre for various welfare and development programmes. Mr Rosaiash said in spite of adverse conditions, the State have done far better in the transparent implementation of NREGS and many other centrally-sponsored schemes.

The Union Minister was told that Andhra Pradesh was right on top among the States in implementing the NREGA in the country and has already spent Rs.3036 crores followed by Rajasthan (Rs.2873 crores), Karnataka (Rs.1620 crores), Madhya Pradesh, U.P., Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand in that order. He was told that all NREGA payments will be done only through biometric Smart Cards in the State from 1st April 2010 ensuring absolute transparency of the scheme. He was also explained about the good work done by the Society for Social Audit, Accountability and Transparency with the involvement of social activists.

The Union Minister was explained about the work being carried out by the SERP whose chairman is the CM. There are 1.07 crore women organised into 9.34 lakh SHGs covering all villages. He was told about the bank linkages, pavala vaddi and other unique schemes being implemented in the State. The Union Minister discussed the schemes and its implementation in detail with the State ministers and officials.

Rural Development Minister Vatti Vasantha Kumar, Panchayatiraj Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, Rural Water Supply Minister Viswarup, Chief Secretary, S V Prasad, Principal Secretary, Panchayatraj, MVPC Sastry, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, SS Rawat, Principal Secretary, Housing, Samuel, Principal Secretary, Rural Waster Supply, Chitra Subramaniam, CEO, SERP, T Vijayakumar and other Centre and State officials attended the meeting.