Andhra vows to put agriculture, industry on track

Lamenting the low gross state domestic product (GSDP) and agriculture growth rate witnessed during 1994-2004 under the Telugu Desam Party rule, the state government, led by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, vowed to change the situation by continued focus on the two key sectors.

Addressing the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the annual budget session here today, in-charge Governor Rameshwar Thakur said that the state government in the 20-month period had tried to set the priorities right for the all-round development of the state.

Highlighting the massive irrigation development programme undertaken by the state government last year, the governor delved at length on its social welfare programmes like land distribution to landless poor, weaker section housing, and the INDIRAMMA scheme.

In his address, the governor referred to the announcement of investment plans by several public and private sector companies to set up big-ticket projects, including an SEZ park and the chemical complex proposed by ONGC consortium and textile park being established by Brandix Lanka Limited.

Explaining the main objective of INDIRAMMA, the governor said that the state government through this programme would aim at achieving 'hut-less' villages in the entire state in the next three years time.

"Thanks to good monsoon and improvements in core sector areas, the state economy has been on an upswing in the current year, with quick estimates projecting a GSDP rate of 7.55 per cent for the current year as compared to 6.39 per cent in the previous year," he said.