Having achieved a GSDP growth rate of 9.72 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, Andhra Pradesh has set the ambitious target of double digit growth during 2015-16.
The State has set the annual target of 10.44 per cent growth of GSDP.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, while inaugurating a two-day District Collectors’ Conference, here on Friday claimed that despite many challenges the State has faced following the bifurcation it was on course to achieve the targets.
Pointing out that the State still has a fiscal deficit of `15,500 crore, the Chief Minister urged the officials to focus their attention on how to fill the gap.
The Collectors Conference, first since the formation of the State, was being held at a five-star hotel in Vijayawada. Apart from the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary IVR Krishna Rao, State Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu, several other officials and the Collectors of all the 13 districts were attending the conference.
“Our vision is double digit GSDP growth in the current financial year, Swachcha Andhra Pradesh and fight against poverty for the comprehensive development of AP and transform it as the number state of the country by 2029,” Naidu said.
He also called upon the officials to eradicate corruption from the Revenue Department to plug the loopholes in the revenue collection of the State.
He expressed his unhappiness over the frequent power cuts and also held them responsible for ensuring that the river waters reach the villages. “The day of the interlinking of the rivers Godavari and Krishna was the most unforgettable day of my life,” Naidu said. He said his Government was to take the waters of Godavari to all the regions of the State and irrigate the agriculture lands by interlinking the rivers next year. This, he said, will help in achieving the targets of eradication of poverty.
Naidu had formally released water of Godavari into river Krishna two days ago but the Opposition was sceptical about the project pointing out that the system was not functioning well.
Finance Minister Ramakrishnudu, briefing the media, said the conference was discussing the issues like human development index and economic progress of the Andhra Pradesh.
The conference will discuss the law and order situation on Saturday and the Superintendents of the 13 districts will attend it.