Andhra to unveil 'Demographic Management' policy to tackle effects: Guv

Andhra Pradesh will come out with a policy on 'demographic management' to address the cascading effects of shrinking workforce, aging population, and changing family dynamics, Governor S Abdul Nazeer said on Sunday.

After unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the Republic Day at Vijayawada, Nazeer said the state is undergoing significant demographic transitions which include a steep decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), a rapidly aging population, and the erosion of traditional joint family systems, each with far-reaching implications.

"The Government is committed to handle the cascading effects of a shrinking workforce, aging population, and changing family dynamics by launching a policy on 'demographic management' to address the cascading effects of shrinking workforce, aging population, and changing family dynamics," he said.

Several countries are facing a deleterious impact of declining TFR, and the state government is committed to overcome this crisis, by engaging larger public discourse on its impact, he further said.

This proposed multifaceted roadmap will encompass investments in healthcare infrastructure, development of robust and inclusive social security schemes, and initiatives aimed at fostering community-based support systems, the Governor said.

AP, seven months ago was marred with severe financial and administrative disarray owing to the previous regime's mismanagement of state finances and diversion of resources coupled with misgovernance that have left a lasting scar on the state's economy and infrastructure, he said.

The state's financial health was further crippled by exorbitant debts, high-interest borrowings, among others, and was burdened by unpaid liabilities, stalled projects, and a broken governance structure, Nazeer pointed out.

The remarkable mandate given to the present NDA government in the state was a powerful rejection of the previous regime's misrule and a resounding endorsement of the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, he said.

"As we set our sights on transforming Andhra Pradesh, the economy is projected to grow at 15% from Rs 16 lakh crores currently to Rs 305 lakh crores by 2047, implying an increase in per capita income from Rs 2.68 lakh to Rs. 53.34 lakhs, an increase of nearly 20 times in a span of 24 years. This is the power of growth, he said.

Ten principles such as Zero poverty and Employment, among others, form the foundation of the vision for Swarna Andhra 2047, each representing a crucial aspect of the state's transformation, he further said.

Through ambitious river interlinking projects and modern irrigation systems, the state government is revolutionizing water management across Andhra Pradesh, he said.

To modernise agriculture, AP will integrate deep-tech solutions such as AI, IoT, drones, robotics, and satellite technology which will enable real-time crop monitoring, soil health assessments, pest detection, and improve irrigation efficiency, he added. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu participated in the event.