Having weathered many political storms over Telangana and the Jagan issues, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy successfully completed two years in office on Sunday.
After taking over the reins of the state following the resignation of K Rosaiah on this day two years back, it has been a challenging task for 52-year-old Reddy as the pro-Telangana stir and the challenge from Kadapa MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) threatened to rock his boat.
Asked by reporters to sum up the last two years at a 'high tea' that he hosted this evening, Reddy said he would not like to judge himself. "I have written an exam. How can I correct my own paper? I will not judge myself. It is for you," he said smilingly.
Reddy did not talk much about politics, but exuded confidence that Congress would come back to power in the 2014 elections though main opposition TDP and the fledgling YSRCP are making a determined bid to win.
Replying to a query, he said the government would go ahead with its idea to accord legal status to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes special component plans.
Accordingly legal status is aimed at ensuring that the funds earmarked are put to effective use.
Asked about the view expressed in some sections that the move may land in legal troubles, he, however, asserted that the government would still go ahead and is ready to face the problems that may arise.
The government had already decided to convene the Assembly session on November 30 and December one to give the legal status.
There are no plans for an immediate expansion of state Cabinet, he indicated.
Asked about reports which claimed that Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy was not invited properly for a programme on Sunday to inaugurate certain Hyderabad Metrol rail works, Reddy said he was not aware of the matter.
He said he went for the event after returning to Hyderabad from a visit to Tirupati.
Jaipal Reddy did not attend the event.
Meanwhile, Reddy on Sunday announced five new schemes and sops Nfor the welfare of weaker sections on the successful completion of two years in office.
Under 'Rajiv Vidya Deevena', pre-metric scholarships would be provided for class IX and X students on saturation basis with Rs 120 crore.
The scheme will be implemented with the support of Centre, an official release said.
He announced 'Indiramma Amrutha Hastham' with Rs 100 crore for the benefit of two lakh high risk pregnant and lactating mothers.
One cooked meal in 100 ICDS projects will be provided under the scheme which would help in reducing infants maternity mortality rate.
The chief minister also sanctioned Rs 50 crores for backward classes welfare organisation.
In an initiative for the benefit of minorities, he has sanctioned separate commissionerate for minority welfare.
Reddy also approved of providing 50 additional man-days under NREGS to those households who completed 100 days of work, the release added.