Sat Aug 02 17:33:49 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
The text is a snippet from *The Hindu*, dated August 2, 2025, reporting on the launch of the PM Kisan-Annadata Sukhibhava programme in Visakhapatnam, India. Over 18,500 farmers in the district will benefit from the program’s first phase, receiving ₹12,906 crore. Local politicians highlighted the initiative’s importance for farmer welfare and lauded the combined financial support from the Union and State governments, totaling ₹20,000 annually per farmer.
**News Article:**
**Visakhapatnam Farmers Receive ₹12,906 Crore in First Phase of PM Kisan-Annadata Sukhibhava Programme**
**Visakhapatnam, August 2, 2025:** The PM Kisan-Annadata Sukhibhava programme launched in Gajuwaka today will benefit 18,573 farmers in the Visakhapatnam district. In the first phase of the initiative, ₹12,906 crore was distributed to beneficiaries.
Speaking at the launch event, Social Welfare Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy emphasized the state government’s commitment to farmer welfare in line with its Vision 2047 roadmap. He hailed the Annadata Sukhibhava programme as a historic step toward achieving “Swarna Andhra” (Golden Andhra Pradesh).
A.P. TDP president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao expressed his satisfaction with the implementation of the programme. North constituency MLA Vishnukumar Raju highlighted the benefits farmers are receiving from both Union and State government schemes. He specifically praised the State’s decision to supplement the central government’s ₹6,000 PM Kisan funds with an additional ₹14,000, bringing the total annual support to ₹20,000 per farmer.
Following the launch, MLAs, along with District Collector Harendhira Prasad, and DCCB Chairman Kona Tata Rao, symbolically handed over a cheque for ₹12.9 crore to a group of farmers. The event marked a significant step towards bolstering the agricultural sector in the region.
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