AP saw 12.23% economic growth: Governor

Vijayawada: Governor E S L Narasimhan said that by setting constant economic growth as target, the State achieved 12.23 percent growth in first half of fiscal 2016-17.

He was the chief guest at the 68th Republic Day celebrations held at IGM Stadium here on Thursday. Speaking after unfurling the tricolour on the occasion, he said that the State government was marching ahead with sole agenda of development in the wake of globalisation.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• The state government was marching ahead with sole agenda of development in the wake of globalisation, said the Governor
• In his address, he said that as 60 percent of people depended on primary sector, the government was giving top priority to it
• Referring to linking of Krishna and Godavari rivers, the Governor said that lift irrigation was provided by March which was a record

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The government listed out 17 development indicators to keep people happy, he said. In his initial remarks, he said remembering sacrifices of freedom-fighters was our responsibility and we are celebrating Republic Day because of their efforts.

Focusing on government efforts to give boost to agriculture, the Governor said that as 60 per cent of people depended on primary sector, the government was giving top priority to it. In agriculture, the State achieved a whopping 24.44 per cent growth in first half of the year itself.
“Similarly, growth is considerably high in aquaculture (42.57 per cent), animal husbandry (14.91 per cent) and horticulture (18.33 per cent),” the Governor said.

He said the government was concentrating on service sector, which was crucial. The government was adopting new policies to match with world-level targets as bench mark for socio-economic growth.

“We successfully surpassed hurdles during demonetisation. We followed digital currency and adopted new mode for payments to overcome the currency shortage. We used awareness campaigns to make people get acquainted with economic literacy and thereby encourage cashless transactions.

We involved students, Self-Help Group members, NRGS Job Cardholders, pension holders and dealers of ration shops to achieve this task. Under Janmabhoomi-Maa Vooru programme, 15 aspects for family welfare and 10 aspects for social welfare are being given priority in villages and municipal wards,” the Governor said.

Referring to linking of Krishna and Godavari rivers, the Governor said that lift irrigation was provided by March which was a record. As a result, eight tmc ft of water was diverted to irrigate eight lakh acres ayacut during kharif besides increasing groundwater levels. This effort yielded good results with increased crop harvest and saved 10.56 lakh acres of crop in Krishna delta, he added.

The Governor reminded that the Centre was providing Rs 1,981 crore for Polavaram project with the assistance of Nabard. The government was keen to complete the project by 2019. The government was also working on Smart Water Grid with the linking of Swarnamukhi and Vamsadhara rivers, he said.

Stating that the government was adopting best of the water conservation methods, Narasimhan said it constructed 5 lakh harvesting pits. Under NTR Bharosa scheme, Rs 1,000 pension was being issued.

The government was extending pensions to 43 lakh persons. In addition to these, 3.5 lakh pensions were disbursed during the Janmabhoomi programme, he said.

Under Chandranna Bima scheme, 52.47 lakh persons were benefited, the Governor said. By June, the government would provide domestic gas to all. In rural areas it planned to supply 5kg cylinders.