The government of Andhra Pradesh is providing induction stoves and cooking vessels to 44,346 anganwadi centres across the state at an estimated cost of ₹32 crore. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited an anganwadi centre in Linganguntla village, Chilakaluripet constituency, Palnadu district, sat with children, and shared ragi porridge with them. According to the Deccan Chronicle, he also handed over an induction stove and steel utensils during the visit.

Accounts differ on the total number of centres covered. One source states that 11,400 anganwadi centres have already been equipped with induction stoves under the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP), according to Finovista.com. Another source reports that plans are underway to extend the initiative to all 55,607 anganwadi centres in the state, also according to Finovista.com. These figures conflict with the government’s claim of providing stoves to 44,346 centres.

Separately, the New Indian Express reported that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu awarded Anganwadi worker Gadala Lakshmi at a Swarna Andhra-Swachh Andhra programme in Tanuku on March 15. Newslaundry reported that Naidu proposed one-time cash incentives of ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child, and that the state government lifted the ban on people with more than two children contesting local body elections. Newslaundry also reported that TDP MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu offered ₹50,000 to women giving birth to a third girl child, provided the first two children are daughters, and promised a cow if the third child is a boy.