Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today said the GDP of the state grew three-fold to Rs 7.46 lakh crore during the last fiscal from Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2004-05.
After unfurling the Tricolour at the 67th Independence Day celebrations at Parade Ground in Secunderabad, Reddy said the per capita income has gone up to Rs 78,117 as compared to Rs 25,231 in 2004-05.
He said the state is progressing towards achieving 10 per cent growth rate.
On poverty eradication programmes being undertaken by the state government, he said poverty rate in districts has come down to 9.2 per cent against the national average 21.9 per cent.
"As many as 1.56 crore people were brought above the poverty line by 2011-12 in the state," the CM said.
Andhra Pradesh is the only state in the country that has brought SC/ST sub-plan Act aiming at improving condition of the downtrodden, he said adding that Rs 8,585 crore and Rs 3,666 crore were allocated to SC and ST sub-plans respectively during the current financial year.
Regarding credit to farmers, Reddy said the government is paying interest on behalf of the farmers, who repaid their loans promptly within one year up to Rs 1 lakh.
Allaying apprehensions with regard to the investment in the state, he said Andhra Pradesh stood in second place as far as flow of investments was concerned.
During 2012-13, investments to the tune of Rs 43,000 crore came into the state resulting in employment creation of 1.65 lakh, he said.
The Chief Minister received salute from the march-past and witnessed tableaux displayed by different departments. He later gave away medals to police personnel for their meritorious service.
Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajnarasimha was among other delegates present on the occasion.
