Andhra Pradesh achieved 11.77 pc growth rate in H1: Naidu

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said the state has achieved 11.77 per cent growth rate in the first half of this fiscal against the target of 10.62 per cent.

Andhra Pradesh has surpassed by 4 per cent the national growth rate of 7.2 per cent by achieving a growth rate of 11.77 per cent in the first half (H1 - April to September) of this fiscal, Naidu said after inaugurating the two-day long District Collectors conference here.

He said particularly the agricultural allied sector - fisheries and animal husbandry has achieved growth rate of 47.10 per cent followed by service sector 8.05 per cent and industry 6.25 per cent. Naidu, however, said that primary agriculture could not achieve the expected growth due the drought conditions in the state.

Give top priority to agriculture
The Chief Minister asked the district collectors to give top priority to agriculture which is the major source of occupation for about 65 per cent of the state population. He said elimination of poverty and sustainable growth of the state is possible only by achieving good progress in agriculture (sector).

Maintain balance between welfare and development
Naidu directed the collectors to utilise funds from Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and other schemes for water harvesting. He further said that equilibrium should be maintained in both welfare and development works.

The Chief Minister also asked the collectors to prepare action plans for their concerned districts to achieve better growth rate and monitor regularly each and every scheme implemented by the state government.

PTI