Hyderabad, Aug 15 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government would provide 100,000 jobs to the youth, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy announced Monday.

Addressing the main official function to mark India's Independence Day at the Secunderabad Parade Grounds here, he said the youth would be recruited in various government departments.

Kiran Reddy also promised that 1.5 million jobs would be created for youth in various sectors in the next three years.

Hoisting the national flag for the first time after becoming the chief minister, he assured the people that he would take all steps to provide corruption-free and transparent governance.

In an obvious reference to the ongoing movement for separate statehood to Telangana, the chief minister said the government was trying to remove regional imbalances. "My government will take all steps to maintain peace and security in the state," he added.

The chief minister announced that a financial corporation with a corpus fund of Rs.1,000 crore would be set up for women self-help groups to protect them from the exploitation by micro-finance institutions.

Kiran Reddy listed out various welfare schemes being implemented by the government. He claimed that his government was committed to the welfare of farmers and would continue free electricity and other schemes.

Earlier, the chief minister reviewed the colorful parade. In an open top jeep, he went around the sprawling grounds to reviewed the contingents of police, Scouts and Guides and NCC.