AP achieved 10.5% GSDP growth despite constraints: CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh 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 today.

He 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 here.

"Andhra Pradesh 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.

Agriculture sector registered a growth of 8.40% in the current fiscal, industry 11.13% and services 11.39%.

Four districts – Chittoor, Nellore, West Godavari and Srikakulam – out of the total 13 recorded a growth of over 10.5%, Chandrababu said.

He said there would be "no compromise" in implementing welfare programmes though there was focus on development.

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

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

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

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

"While we achieve all this, happiness of people is very important. Money can't bring happiness. Our service delivery should 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.