11.77% GSDP Growth For AP In Half-Year, Above Target

Andhra Pradesh appears to be making significant strides in achieving its target of inclusive double-digit growth. After achieving a 9.72% growth in quarter 1, the state's economy achieved a 13.94% growth in the second quarter. Put together, the half-yearly growth stands at an impressive 11.77% against the target of 10.62%.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu released these figures at the two-day Collectors' Conference in Vijayawada. The State government was currently working on the Double Digit Growth Plan to achieve a per-capita income of over Rs. 10 lakh by 2029-30, he said. The growth target for 2015-16 at constant prices stands at 10.8%.

Elaborating on Vision 2029, the Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh should be developed as the best State in the country by 2029, and the best destination in the world by 2050. For this, registering double digit growth was an important step - it would result in achieving inclusive growth and bringing about a structural change in the economy, he said.

He also explained the various efforts the government was putting into building the State's capital. He announced that the administrative city of Amaravati would be completed by 2018. He appreciated the officials and ministers who were working to achieve this.

Stressing on the need to achieve sustained growth in agriculture for the stabilization of the economy, the Chief Minister said that the primary sector performed well in spite of deficit rainfall this year. "With adequate resources, we must be able to perform better," he added.

The Chief Minister said that the interlinking of rivers was the biggest achievement of his government. "By providing 8 TMCs of water, we were able to save over 8 lakh hectares of land," he said.

He also complemented the officials for the successful implementation of government's Neeru-Chettu programme. He cited the Chittoor and Nellore districts as examples of places where the groundwater levels were effectively recharged.

The Chief Minister also spoke strongly against spurious liquor, loan rackets and corruption in the State. Such incidents were tarnishing the image of State, he said. He suggested incorporating effective technological practices to curb corruption.