AP set for double-digit growth, asserts CM

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asked District Collectors to root out corruption and work with a mission mode to achieve double-digit growth in all sectors.

Recalling the circumstances that led into the bifurcation of the State, Chandrababu Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh was left without a capital and burdened with heavy revenue deficit.

After inaugurating the two-day conference of the District Collectors and senior IAS officers, the Chief Minister said that he was working round-the-clock to put the State on development track and sought their support in registering the double digit growth in all sectors. However, he regretted the double-digit growth found in corruption.

Naidu said that the State was promised special package for the backward districts, establishment of seven higher educational institutions and special category status and all these promises would completed, one after the other. With the Centre taking up Polavaram project as national project, it would reduce irrigation and power problems, he added. However, he felt the need to develop the State making it the best destination for investment in the country.

Stating that Dubai and Singapore were once the most backward countries, the Chief Minister pointed out that the two nations achieved growth only because of hard work. He said AP with several resources would be one of the best States in the country if everyone worked with the same spirit and commitment.

He said that he had started administration with clear objectives of registering double-digit growth in every sector and was moving forward with a focused approach. The seven missions and the five grids that he had introduced have helped him move forward against all odds, the CM added.

Referring to the Krishna-Godavari river linkage, Naidu said that he could achieve it only with continued persuasion and focused approach. “I was able to divert the water from the Godavari river which is 177 kilometers away and it was possible only with commitment,” he added. He further said that water grid would help the State improve the ground water levels to end the drought in the State.

Naidu welcomed the World Bank’s ranking of the State in industrialisation and maintained that it was a positive sign and urged collectors to identify lands for the industries. He said that the government had enough money for the welfare schemes and successfully implemented enhanced pension scheme. He said that the government also provided online network for over 65 lakh bank accounts of the farmers. He urged the collectors to ensure that all these schemes reach genuine beneficiaries.

Stating that the government had introduced several reforms in sand quarrying, Naiud pointed out that the sand was given to the women in the self-help groups, which were doing good business. While admitting that corruption had come down in the sand quarrying, he cautioned the collectors of the possibility of land mafia disturbing the system.

He wanted the district collectors and the revenue officials to protect the interests of the State from being exploited by the anti-social elements. Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishna Murthy, Chief Secretary, I Y R Krishna Rao and other officials were present.