'Development needs to be decentralised'

VISAKHAPATNAM: Decentralised development is a must for the growth of Andhra Pradesh because in the past 58 years not a single major institution was established in coastal AP or Rayalaseema because of the policy of Hyderabad-focused development taken by various state governments and post bifurcation 11 prestigious institutions are coming to AP, said Visakhapatnam MP K Hari Babu on Tuesday.
He, however, pointed out that not all these can come up in North Andhra because of the need to ensure decentralised development. Addressing a gathering at the civil library on Tuesday during a debate on 'North Andhra Development and Action Plan' organised by the Uttarandhra Development Forum, the MP said sea ports and airports are playing a key role in the development of any city in the world, which is why there are numerous opportunities to develop Vizag, which has two sea ports and an international airport.
"AP has a nearly 1,000 km stretch of coastline and will see rapid development in the future with the construction of ports. The central government has taken up the responsibility of developing backward areas like north Andhra and Rayalaseema by implementing a special package for backward areas," Hari Babu said. Andhra University VC Prof GSN Raju said people think that IT development will play a key role in development but it will not be enough to sustain development of the entire north Andhra region which is why there was a need for detailed action plan.
"We need to take up initiatives for skill development, literacy and attracting industries that can generate large scale employment. Each village needs a public school and each city of north Andhra needs a premier institution to ensure a 100% literacy rate, which is only 52% now," the AU VC said.