Congress promises to up industry's share in GSDP

The Congress manifesto for the state, released by the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Monday, promises to increase the share of the manufacturing sector in the gross state domestic product (GSDP) to 30 per cent in a phased manner as against less than 20 per cent at present.

The ruling party, which is striving to regain power in the ensuing elections to the Assembly next month, also intends to give preference to the medium and small enterprises over all bidders for the infrastructure projects to be taken up in future. “This will be backed with payment preference as a priority over others,” its manifesto stated.

Besides continuing the welfare programmes it had started, the party promises to supply power free of cost to the farm sector for nine hours a day instead of seven hours now. It would also provide power connection to every household, give biometric identity card to every citizen and implement the Forest Land Rights Act passed by the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre.

The party’s poll promises include supply of cooking gas cylinders to all households, provision of sanitary toilets, and support scheduled castes categorisation.