Naidu put Collectors on "Mission' mode

Hyderabad, Aug 7 (INN): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday unveiled the seven-mission of the government focusing on inclusive growth and poverty alleviation at the Collectors Conference in Vijayawada.

The seven missions -- primary mission, infrastructure, skill and knowledge development, social empowerment, urban development, services industry and manufacturing ' hold a key to the development of Andhra Pradesh. 'We are proceeding with a mission-based approach.'

Under the primary mission, the Chief Minister said agriculture productivity should be drastically improved. Paddy, banana productivity can be improved to compare with international standards. Farmers should also be suggested to grow alternative crops in drought-hit regions. Even poultry, dairy, horticulture, fisheries and others should be integrated.

The Chief Minister said water conservation and management is very important. He added that the state should be made drought-proof and all techniques should be put in place to divert surplus water to drought-hit states, focus on drip and sprinkle irrigation, etc.

He urged that the ground-water table also be increased. He also added that Anantapur will be made the seed capital of India and a hub for horticulture and floriculture.

Comparing human development indicators of AP to Kerala, the Chief minister said that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) are high in the state and steps should be taken to save mothers and children immediately.

He said AP should become healthcare service provider to the world. Simultaneously, even generic medicines should be made available and their prices should be brought down, he said.

Chandrababu Naidu also mentioned that AP ranks 12th in human development indicators in India. 'The state is lagging behind in South too. We need to focus on this immediately.' This apart, the Chief Minister urged officials to look into improving literacy rates and make 100% enrollment of children under 'Badi Pilustondi' scheme. 'Every child between 6 and 14 years has to be in school.'

The Chief Minister said that the enrollment details and other information should be uploaded online. 'Even attendance has to be updated online and parents should be informed about their child's regularity to school,' the Chief Minister said. Under the mid-day meal scheme, he said nutritious food should be provided to student and a nutritious diet plan should be made.

Stating that Andhra Pradesh should have 100% Aadhar enrollment by September 1st, Chandrababu Naidu said every scheme should be linked to Aadhar. He urged Aadhar linkage for agricultural input subsidy, land and revenue registrations, payment of salaries of employees, mid-day meal scheme and other schemes. Currently 93% of Andhra Pradesh's population has been enrolled under Aadhar while Kurnool, Nellore and Vizianagaram have less than 90% enrollment.

All citizens should have at least two bank accounts linked with Aadhar as part of the financial inclusion plan. The Chief Minister has also asked the departments to put birth certificates and nativity certificates online.

He added that under the public distribution system (PDS), 'Every fair price shop should be made a mini bank and people can withdraw pension from nearest fair price shop.' The Chief Minister also instructed that GPS, GIS and Aadhar have to be integrated for all departments and the data has to be online.

Andhra Pradesh will have three mega cities - Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. It will also have 16 smart cities. He urged that apart from a change in look and shape of these cities, officials should also bring an attitudinal change in people.

Recalling the introduction of power sector reforms during his earlier regime, the Chief Minister said he had brought the state to a situation where it had surplus power. In the last 10 years again, the Chief Minister said, people have been facing continuous power cuts. Now, again, the Andhra Pradesh government has managed to bring down the power deficit, he added.

He added that urbanization of rural towns should be put in place. Currently, Andhra Pradesh has only 29% urbanization, he said. He recalled that the BOT (build operate transfer) and PPP (public, private, partnership models) were introduced by him.

This apart, he said, infrastructure is the future of any country. The aim is also to upgrade ports and make AP top in cargo. Currently, Andhra Pradesh is at the 3rd spot in Cargo with Gujarat on top of the list. He said that the state will also be number one in future on the Eastern Sea Board of India.

He also urged that the state be made a knowledge and skill development hub. He said education should be made student-centric and not classroom-centric. He said the state government should have online courses. 'Andhra Pradesh should be in a position to attract the best universities in the world by touring other universities across the globe.'