Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu stresses on knowledge society rather than knowledge economy

Brand A.P. suffered a dent in the last five years and the State’s economy plummeted to unimaginable levels, he says; notwithstanding the challenges, the State has embarked on the recovery path, he adds

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has stressed the need to achieve 50% growth rate by 2047. The State has to move towards a knowledge society rather than a knowledge economy, he says.

“The government’s aim is to move forward with the vision of creating a healthy, wealthy and happy society,” Mr. Naidu said while speaking at the second District Collectors’ conference, at the Secretariat in Amaravati on December 11, 2024 (Wednesday).

In the last five years, Mr. Naidu said, Andhra Pradesh’s brand image had severely been damaged. With its credibility at stake, the State had been mocked. Investors had shied away. The economy had collapsed to unimaginable levels. “This is the fourth time I am serving as Chief Minister. But, I have never seen so many problems,” Mr. Naidu said.

“The NDA government has to implement the Super Six schemes as promised in the run-up to the elections. There are ₹1 lakh crore bills pending payment. The debts have touched ₹10 lakh crore. The FRBM limit doesn’t permit further borrowings. The State’s revenue base has shrunk. The previous YSRCP government had used up funds for the years 2025 and 2026 under the 15 Finance Commission as well,” the Chief Minister said.

Notwithstanding these challenges, the State had embarked on the recovery path, he said.

“The government is now paying salaries and pensions on time. It is able to streamline defunct departments. I have not compromised, despite being angry and hurt. But A.P.’s brand name has suffered. Once confidence is restored, investments will pour in,” Mr. Naidu said.

The Chief Minister said water security would be ensured by completing the Polavaram irrigation project. “Amaravati is back on track with the mobilisation of ₹31,000 crore. The Centre is giving ₹12,157 crore for Polavaram, and we are sure of completing the project by 2027.”

With regard to the Mega DSC, he said, by the time the schools reopen for the next academic year, new teachers must be ready to take up work.

“We have decided to conduct the mega Parents-Teachers’ Meeting annually,” he said.

The district Collectors should find ways of reducing the cost of production in agriculture, he said. “There is a need to reduce logistics costs from 14% to 8%, which is the national average,” the Chief Minister said.

He pointed out that an increase in GSDP would push up the State’s finances. “A 13.5% growth in GSDP leads to ₹15,000 crore additional income,” he explained.

The Collectorates should have decent reception areas to receive and redress the grievances of people. “People approach officials to get their long-pending grievances redressed. Solve them with a human angle, and then record the same. We can offer legal help and counselling to bring down litigation considerably. Do justice to the people. Policies and streamlining of departments offer some help. Every other aspect depends on you,” he said.

Speaking about “speed of doing business,” Mr. Naidu called upon the officers to be proactive, as investors had many options.

“We are monitoring every Collector. You need to prove it. Smart work is required rather than hard work,” he added.

Enlisting various steps taken by the government to curb land encroachments, the Chief Minister said the new Act would help the real land owners.

Mr. Naidu said the State government was firmly dealing with the ganja, red sanders, and recycling of ration rice mafias.

“Old habits are hard to go. But the directive to the Collectors is clear. They have to be firm and determined,” he said.

Stating that the government had published seven White Papers, released 20 policies and a vision document, Mr. Naidu said, “Investments worth ₹4 lakh crore have come, which will help create 4 lakh jobs.”

Published - December 12, 2024 03:20 am IST