Amaravati, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Health, Fertilisers, and Chemicals, JP Nadda, confirmed on Monday that 29,000 metric tonnes of urea will be provided to Andhra Pradesh by August 21 to alleviate the existing shortage.

This assurance was made during a meeting with Nara Lokesh, the state's Education, IT, and Electronics Minister, in New Delhi.

Lokesh raised concerns about the critical urea shortage amid the current Kharif season and urged the Union Government to promptly supply the necessary resources to assist farmers.

Additionally, they addressed various other concerns during their discussion.

Lokesh proposed the creation of a Plastic Park to boost local industry and create job opportunities for the youth.

In terms of educational infrastructure, he brought up the establishment of a permanent campus for the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Visakhapatnam, mentioning that 100 acres of land has been earmarked for the initiative and urged for necessary action to move forward.

Further, Lokesh updated Union Minister Nadda on the progress of various development initiatives over the past 14 months under the coalition government, seeking central support for outstanding projects.

He underscored the urgency of advancing significant projects like the Polavaram Project and the development of Amaravati as the state capital, both of which are essential for the state's advancement and infrastructure.

Lokesh also met with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss expediting key projects in the state and enhancing collaboration on energy security and welfare.

He strongly advocated for the BPCL refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Ramayapatnam, Nellore district, a long-awaited commitment under Section 93(4) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

This Rs 95,000 crore project, spread over 6,000 acres, is anticipated to create over 5,000 direct jobs and accelerate industrial growth.

Lokesh highlighted that this initiative would generate local employment, foster MSME collaborations, and enhance maritime infrastructure along Andhra Pradesh's coastline.

On the welfare front, Minister Lokesh pointed out the Deepam 2.0 scheme in Andhra Pradesh, which offers free LPG cylinders to eligible families, empowering women and households below the poverty line.

The state is also working towards integrating Deepam 2.0 with the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), ensuring broader coverage and efficient delivery, thus improving health outcomes and diminishing indoor air pollution.

The government of Andhra Pradesh has also sought ongoing Central support for advancing investments, accelerating clearances, and fostering partnerships in the energy and maritime sectors.