Chandrababu transcends barriers with ‘AP’ lomb

Amaravati: From a residuary state to a vibrant new Andhra Pradesh, the state’s march on the path of progress during the last four years has been remarkable. The achievement is all the more significant in the wake of the failure by the Central government to keep its promises and assurances made at the time of bifurcation.

The government under N Chandrababu Naidu has been on a mission to transform every sector. The last four years have witnessed such a transformation across the spectrum. As a result, AP has been recognised with awards and rewards.

The state has been ranked most business-friendly in India for ‘Ease of Doing Business’. It has been chosen for the 4th Atal Shastra, Markenomy Award-2018 for being ‘Top most and best infrastructure excellent State in India in IT and Mobility’. The state received three gold awards at the 20th National Conference on E-Governance.

The department of tourism was recognised for making AP the best new hot spot destination at the Patwa Awards, the world’s biggest tourism expo-ITB Berlin-2017. Nine Projects from state have been selected for SKOCH-order of Merit Award. AP reaped every available award in the power and energy sector, including the National Energy Conservation Award-2017 for the best SDA (State Designated Agency).

Vijayawada was ranked as the ‘cleanest city’ among big cities in the country having more than one million population in the Swachh Survekshan-2018. The list goes on and on.

Loan waiver is an example of the commitment of this government to fulfil promises even in the most trying of circumstances. Despite hurdles and warning from the Centre, the Chief Minister has spent Rs 14,000 crore so far in three phases to provide relief to the farmers. Besides, he allocated another Rs.4,100 crore in the latest budget for the fourth phase of loan waiver. In the first two phases, Rs.10,867 crore was credited into the account of as many as 54.98 lakh farmers.

No other government in the country can boast of implementing as many as welfare schemes as Andhra Pradesh government. Nearly 13 lakh houses at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore are being built under NTR Housing.

The social security scheme, NTR Bharosa, was extended to 47.26 lakh beneficiaries involving Rs. 523 crore. The number is all set to reach the five million mark with 2,000 more beneficiaries are being added in each constituency.

The pension amounts for elders, widows and weavers were increased five-fold from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 a month while the differently-abled now get Rs.1500 per month.

Testing times

The Chief Minister decided quit NDA after making 29 trips to New Delhi seeking fulfilment of promises made in AP Reorganisation Act. As a result of Centre’s non-cooperation, the pace of progress of several prestigious projects, including Amaravati and Polavaram was affected. But, the Chief Minister is determined to complete them at any cost, using all resources at his disposal.

Various sectors in the state in the last four years reported significant growth. Investments in manufacturing sector have grown manifold. As many as 1,193 projects with a committed investment of Rs 4,55,692 crore, providing 13 lakh jobs are in the pipeline. Passenger traffic in AP airports has grown to 4.1 million in 2017-18 from 1.1 million in 2014-15. Ports in AP have grown at about 15 percent year on year.

Visionary par excellence

Chandrababu Naidu has proved to be a great visionary. His aim was to ensure that the farmers reaped the benefits of technology and has succeeded in this to a great extent. Irrigation security to the Krishna delta which has 162-year history, drinking water and water for irrigation to the Rayalaseema region, and utilization of the 3000 TMC ft Godavari flood waters going waste by joining the sea, through the Polavaram project. He is personally supervising the construction of Polavaram dam which is progressing well.

Andhra Pradesh government has also taken up development of tourism and industries in a big way. The state has already become a hub of automobile sector. Kia Motors, Apollo, Ashok Leyalnd, Isuzi Motors have arrived in the State, particularly to Rayalaseema region, thanks to the CM’s efforts.

The Chief Minister has been more determined than ever to replicate the success that he achieved in united Andhra Pradesh. Despite the hurdles, Andhra Pradesh is all set to emerge as one of the top three states in the country by 2022.