Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said, “We successfully completed the first half of our tenure with 12.23 per cent growth rate and will continue with the same spirit to stand among the first three top states by 2022.” With the growth rate of 12.23 per cent standing first in India. he also added that he will not compromise on the development of the state and criticised opposition leader and YSRC chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy that he was provoking anger among evacuees of Polavaram and said compensation will be paid to them as per 2013 RR Act. He addressed a press conference here at Velagapudi Secretariat on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister said that AP achieved 12.23 per cent growth rate in the first half year against 7.20 per cent of All-India growth rate. The state achieved 12.26 per cent growth rate in the first quarter and 12.20 per cent in second quarter despite 29 per cent deficit rainfall. The state achieved 25.61 per cent growth rate in agriculture and allied sectors. Horticulture growth rate stands at 18.3 per cent and livestock 15.12 per cent. Aquaculture 55.14 per cent and AP emerged number one in aqua culture.
The Chief Minister said that AP achieved 9.57 growth rate in service sector and stressed the need to improve further growth in service sector. He said there is a need to promote tourism. The Chief Minister said a target was set to achieve 15 per cent growth rate to emerge as one among top three states in the country by 2022. Mr Naidu said he is leaving for Mumbai to head the 13-member committee meeting on post-demonetisation crisis. He opined that after getting transparency in banking transactions with cancellation of '500 and '1000 notes there is a need to rationalise tax structure.
He said that he would discuss with RBI and banks chairmen over the steps to be taken to ease the currency crisis in the country. Mr Naidu also mentioned that by introducing cashless transactions in fair price shops the government is able to distribute ration to 74.15 per cent card-holders. He said the government is able to complete the distribution of 78.65 per cent pensions.
