Naidu sets 15% GSDP growth target for AP

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday asked the finance department to implement micro-and macro-level plans to achieve the state's gross state domestic product (GSDP) targets, with a focus on improving productivity across sectors.Reviewing the performance of the finance department at the secretariat, Naidu said short-, medium- and long-term plans should be rolled out effectively down to the field level to achieve a 15% growth rate. He said all departments must focus on enhancing productivity to realise the full economic potential of the state.The chief minister said adequate water and power were being supplied to agriculture and industries and stressed the need to utilise these resources to boost output. Despite severe financial stress, the govt did not increase power tariffs, he said, adding that the coalition govt was also bearing a ₹4,600 crore power burden arising from decisions taken by the previous administration.He directed revenue-generating departments to meet their targets without imposing any additional burden on the public. Completion of projects such as Amaravati and Polavaram would open up avenues for wealth creation, he said. There was no shortage of funds for priority projects, and with Central support, these would be completed to accelerate development, he added.The chief minister said development projects should be fast-tracked through central schemes such as Purvodaya and SASCI. Welfare schemes would continue to be implemented in line with the welfare calendar, he said, and asked officials to focus on securing funds due to the state under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.Referring to Anna Canteens, Naidu said the previous regime shut them down, but despite constraints, the current govt is providing meals to the needy through 269 canteens across the state. He asked departments to adopt efficient and simplified processes to attract investments and increase revenues. Finance minister Payyavula Keshav, chief secretary Sai Prasad, finance principal secretary Piyush Kumar and other senior officials attended the review meeting.