Tirupati: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has advised the universities in the state to follow the method of foreign universities and mobilise resources, instead of depending on the government for funds while making it clear that they may not extend financial support in future.
He was addressing a large gathering after inaugurating the 99th Annual Convention of Indian Economic Association at Sri Venkateswara University in Tirupati on Tuesday. Pointing to the research and consultancy services being offered by the universities abroad, he said the universities in AP should follow suit to generate income.
Attributing the poor performance of the universities to the ‘pampering by the government’, he said the support will not continue for long. A student of economics, Mr Naidu turned nostalgic while referring to his student days in SVU and his success in Assembly polls, while studying in the University.
Stating that economic reforms led to a phenomenal growth rate of 7.76 per cent, he said India is the fastest growing economy after China and that it may overtake both China and Japan, whose population is dominated by aged people, as against India’s young age population. Expressing support to the dynamic decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with regard to economic reforms, Mr Naidu said the benefits will last for next 3-4 decades.
The Chief Minister took potshots against the Congress, he said there had been a mere 2 per cent growth rate during its regime, though it was stable and in power for a long period. Mr Naidu lauded former prime minister late P.V. Narasimha Rao for bailing out the country from a difficult situation taking tough decisions on economic reforms. He claimed that AP secured 24.8 pc growth rate for first half of 2016-17, despite revenue loss.
