CM Seeks Cooperation of All to Achieve 15 Per Cent Growth Rate to Establish Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Andhra Pradesh

AMARAVATI:
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu observed that everyone should associate and extend their cooperation to achieve 15 per cent growth rate to establish a healthy, wealthy and happy Andhra Pradesh.

Giving details of the progress report and financial situation of Andhra Pradesh during 2024-2026 to media persons at Secretariat today, the Chief Minister stated that it is the duty of the government to explain people on the progress of the state. He said the NDA government is committed for development of all the regions focusing on decentralisation of development on one hand and implementing welfare schemes simultaneously through wealth creation. Citing the example of overwhelming response from people during recent Bhogapuram airport inauguration, the Chief Minister said the airport will serve as a growth corridor of North Andhra region and the good response from public indicate the result of good governance.

The Chief Minister said after state bifurcation Andhra Pradesh achieved GSDP growth of 13.5 per cent during 2014-2019. As the GSDP growth rate came down to 10.3 per cent during 2019-24, it resulted in GSDP loss of Rs 6.94 lakh crore. If the same growth rate of 13.5 per cent continued AP would have got additional revenue of Rs 76,195 crore, he added. Likewise the per capita income gap widened from Rs 55,817 crore during 2019 to Rs 1,06,854 during 2023-24. He said the public debt to GSDP registered steep increase during 2019-24 stands at 33.83 per cent and now increased by 2.37 per cent points due to huge burden of committed expenditure given by the previous regime.

The Chief Minister said that the previous government’s regime started with stalling Amaravati capital works, delaying Polavaram leading to Diaphragm wall collapse, causing set back to investments with worsening law and order situation. The mis administration led to inherited debt and liabilities to a tune of Rs 9.74 lakh crore pushing the state into debt trap.

The Chief Minister said that the NDA government adopted a multi-pronged strategy for revival of the debt-ridden state by focusing on clearing pending liabilities, ensuring welfare, fulfilling promises and focusing on development and investments along with good governance. The government presented 2026-27 budget focusing on balanced regional development through special initiatives for development three economic regions including Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati. The Chief Minister said that the state government revived 86 centrally sponsored schemes by clearing pending dues of Rs 8695 crore and secured Rs 29,890 cr central funds since June 2024. He said the state government spent Rs 1.49 lakh crore to fulfil welfare promises during the last two years and crated 30,607 government jobs, filled 15,941 teacher posts through mega DSC and 5757 constable posts.

Stating that the state government committed on family empowerment mission and reducing economic inequalities, the Chief Minister said the state government provided assistance of Rs 19,100 crore to 43 lakh SC beneficiaries and Rs 5730 cr to 9 lakh ST beneficiaries. In addition, Rs 32,534 crore assistance provided to 118 lakh BC beneficiaries and under minority welfare spent Rs 4856 crore towards 17 lakh beneficiaries. He said a target was set to enable 5 lakh women of Self Helf Groups as women entrepreneurs through branding and market linkages to the SHG products during 2026-27. The SHG products are being launched under an umbrella brand Swayam-AP. Andhra Pradesh stood in first place with highest number of bank loans availed by rural SHG women and AP become a role model for the country with complete digitalisation of SHG loaning process.

The Chief Minister announced that the Phase-I of Amaravati capital development will be completed by 2028 and Polavaram project will be dedicated to nation during March 2027. He said an integrated Horticulture development plan will be implemented with Rs 1 lakh crore investment in Rayalaseema region to develop Rayalaseema as an international horticultural hub.