Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addressing a public meeting at Sambepalle in Annamayya district on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has reiterated his dedication to finishing the Godavari-Banakacharla project with the help from the Central government, guaranteeing water availability for every acre in the Rayalaseema region.
Addressing a public meeting at the NTR Bharosa pension distribution programme at Sambepalle in Rayachoti Assembly constituency on Saturday, the Chief Minister promised to expedite irrigation work, ensuring agricultural growth in the region.
Mr. Naidu reaffirmed his goal of making Andhra Pradesh a poverty-free State by 2047. He criticised the previous YSRCP government for ‘financial mismanagement’, claiming that ₹10 lakh crore was embezzled, forcing the State into an economic crisis.
He said in just seven months, his administration has attracted ₹7 lakh crore in investments and distributed ₹22,252 crore as part of welfare initiatives.
Highlighting employment prospects, the Chief Minister detailed a work-from-home programme, co-working facilities, and the creation of Tata Innovation Hubs in five locations to promote rural employment and startup development. He mentioned that the professionals from the State have a per capita income of $20,000, in contrast to the U.S. per capita income of $60,000.
Mr. Naidu affirmed that the Polavaram project would be completed by 2027, calling it essential for the State’s irrigation and drinking water requirements.
He noted that the Central government had approved ₹12,000 crore for the project and announced funding for industrial parks in Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, Kopparthi, and Orvakal.
WhatsApp governance
Mr. Naidu said that the WhatsApp-based governance initiative, inspired by HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, aimed at digitally delivering 161 government services. He said that over 4.5 lakh people would gain job opportunities from the forthcoming investments, anticipating the creation of 20 million jobs over the next five years.
The Chief Minister credited TDP founder late N..T Rama Rao for launching irrigation projects in Rayalaseema, vowing to complete and enhance them. He criticised the previous YSRCP government for its ‘neglect of the sector’, claiming that ₹64,000 crore was invested between 2014 and 2019, but projects stalled in the last five years.
Mr. Naidu appealed to the people to select leaders based on their performance rather than caste or regional considerations. He promised that his government would maintain its commitments and work towards making Andhra Pradesh a model State for development, welfare, and economic advancement.
Published – February 01, 2025 08:23 pm IST