AP achieves 10.5% GDP growth in financial year 2016: Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh has achieved a growth rate of 10.5% in the gross state domestic product (GSDP) in the current fiscal year despite "severe constraints", Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday.

He has asked district Collectors to focus on inclusive growth to achieve a 15% target in 2016-17.

"Inclusive growth is very important and per capita income should also increase. Economic inequalities have to be reduced. Long-term sustainability is vital. Your focus should be on this," Naidu said, addressing the inaugural session of the two-day conference of district Collectors in the city.

"Andhra Pradesh had started off with a revenue deficit of about Rs 16,000 crore following the bifurcation of the state in 2014. This posed an enormous challenge for us but still we could achieve a growth rate of 8.39% in 2014-15 and increase it to 10.5% in 2015-16. For the next year, our target is a 15% growth in the GSDP," he said.

The agriculture sector registered a growth of 8.40% in the current fiscal while the industry grew at 11.13% and services at 11.39%.

Four districts -- Chittoor, Nellore, West Godavari and Srikakulam -- out of the total 13 recorded a growth of over 10.5%, Naidu said. He said, there would be "no compromise" in implementing welfare programmes though there was a focus on development.

"We will present the best budget for the ensuing fiscal despite the constraints. We will not compromise on welfare schemes and we will go for the public-private partnership for development," he said.

Chandrababu said the Centre will introduce a Bill in the Budget 2016 session of Parliament enabling the linking of Aadhaar with welfare programmes.

"(Union IT Minister) Ravi Shankar Prasad told me this. We have already completed 100% enrolment of Aadhaar in the state," he said.

Reiterating his resolve to make Andhra Pradesh the third best state by 2022 and number one by 2029 in India, the Chief Minister said, the technology would play a major role in all walks of life.

"While we achieve all this, the happiness of people is very important. Money can't bring happiness. Our service delivery ld make people happy," Naidu told the Collectors.

Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishna Murthy, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Chief Secretary Satya Prakash Tucker, Chief Commissioner of Land Administration Anil Chandra Punetha and others also spoke on the occasion.