Amaravati, February 13: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared that his government has successfully balanced welfare and development over the last 20 months. He stated that the coalition restored governance, stabilised finances, and set the state firmly on the path of growth.
He made these remarks while speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
20 Months of Governance and Recovery
To begin with, the Chief Minister said the coalition government inherited a financially strained state. However, instead of dwelling on the past, the alliance of TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena immediately focused on rebuilding systems.
Soon after taking office, the government released seven white papers to present the financial realities transparently. Moreover, Naidu thanked the central government for its timely support during the recovery phase.
According to him, the state now stands on a stronger foundation.
Massive Welfare Spending with Financial Discipline
At the same time, Naidu emphasised that welfare remains the backbone of his administration.
Every month, the government distributes ₹2,750 crore under the NTR Bharosa pension scheme. Annually, welfare expenditure has reached ₹33,000 crore.
In addition:
The “Talliki Vandanam” scheme supports all eligible children in a family.
The Stree Shakti initiative has enabled 43.5 crore free bus journeys so far.
Deepam 2.0 provides three free LPG cylinders annually to women.
Farmers receive ₹20,000 in three instalments under Annadata Sukhibhava.
Anna Canteens now operate across constituencies to support the poor.
Importantly, Naidu clarified that wealth creation must accompany welfare. “Only when we create wealth can we distribute it effectively,” he said, while highlighting the Zero Poverty initiative.
₹1 Lakh Crore Plan to Transform Rayalaseema
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced an ambitious ₹1 lakh crore plan to convert Rayalaseema into a horticulture hub.
The government will invest ₹30,000 crore directly. Additionally, private players will contribute ₹70,000 crore. Currently, the region produces over 400 lakh metric tonnes of fruits annually. In the coming years, the government aims to increase production to 1,000 lakh metric tonnes.
Furthermore, Naidu proposed diverting 200 TMC of surplus Godavari floodwater to the Nallamala Sagar project. He questioned objections raised by Telangana, stressing that both Telugu states must cooperate for better water utilisation.
Polavaram Completion Target: June 2027
On irrigation, Naidu reaffirmed his commitment to completing the Polavaram Project by June 2027.
He stated that the previous administration damaged critical components like the diaphragm wall. Now, the government has restarted reconstruction work with an allocation of ₹1,000 crore.
Once completed, the project will strengthen irrigation, drinking water supply, and flood control systems across the state.
Power Sector Reforms and No Tariff Hike
Turning to the energy sector, Naidu said the previous regime left behind liabilities worth ₹1.22 lakh crore.
Nevertheless, his government absorbed ₹4,860 crore under the True-Up mechanism to protect consumers. Furthermore, he assured citizens that electricity tariffs will not increase for the next three years.
Additionally, the state supplies power to the aquaculture sector at ₹1.50 per unit. The government also promotes renewable energy, including green hydrogen and solar power expansion.
Industrial Growth Through the PPP Model
At the same time, Naidu highlighted the role of Public-Private Partnerships in driving economic growth.
Through partnership summits, the state secured ₹13.5 lakh crore in investments via 610 MoUs. Overall, proposed investments worth ₹20 lakh crore could generate 23 lakh jobs.
He promised that the government would fulfil its commitment of creating 20 lakh jobs within five years.
Major companies such as Google, TCS, Cognizant, ArcelorMittal, and BPCL have shown interest in expanding operations in Andhra Pradesh.
Population Policy and Digital Healthcare Push
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister announced that the government will introduce a Population Management Policy during this Assembly session.
In addition, Bill Gates is expected to visit the state on February 16. With support from the Gates Foundation, Andhra Pradesh plans to implement digital health records under the Sanjeevani project. This initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery and personalise medical services.
Land Record Reforms and Governance Clean-Up
Naidu also addressed concerns regarding land records. He alleged that previous mismanagement created widespread disputes.
Therefore, the government plans to complete a comprehensive cleansing of revenue records by 2026. Officials will issue authenticated passbooks with official seals to ensure land security for every citizen.
Vision 2047: A $2.4 Trillion Economy
Finally, Naidu outlined his long-term ambition under Vision 2047.
He aims to transform Andhra Pradesh into a $2.4 trillion economy by India’s centenary of independence. Moreover, the government intends to double per capita income every five years.
“Our goal is a Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy Andhra Pradesh,” he concluded.
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