First installment of crop loans by 8 Dec: Naidu

VIJAYAWADA: Laying out the road-map for the party leaders in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday advised them to explain to the people the commitment with which the government was working in waiving loans and implementing several other promises made to the on the eve of recent general elections.

"We have waived crop loans of farmers though we have not yet paid the money. We will pay the first installment by eighth of next month," Chandrababu Naidu said, reminding the party leaders that it would take at least six months for the government to fully implement loan wavier scheme and as also other schemes. The farmers' empowerment corporation which has been started would take pro-farmer initiatives to make them financially strong.

He was speaking at the state executive meeting of the party held for the first time in Vijayawada as it has been tipped to be part of the capital region for the state. More than 350 delegates from the 13 districts in the state turned up for the meeting. Among those who took part in it included actor N Harikrishna, actor-legislator N Balakrishna, Union Minister Sujana Chowdary and several state ministers, MPs and MLAs.

The chief minister spoke for more than one hour explaining in detail the direction in which the government was going and how the party apparatus could lend a helping hand to it in making it more responsive to the needs of the people.

He covered a wide gamut of issues in front of the party and the government and how efforts were going on in improving the livings standards of the poor.

"Apart from farmers, the TDP is committed to the welfare of DWCRA women. That is why we have announced loan waiver for them. DWCRA is a self-help group and there would be no interference by government in it in management of its affairs," Chandrababu Naidu said.

Reiterating his resolve for uniform development of the entire state, Naidu said that he was planning several deep water ports along the east coast which is a God-given gift for the state as no other state in the country has such long coastline with sea routes to South East Asian countries and China for trade.

As India has 120 crore population, sea routes are going to play an important role for both import and export of goods. I want to develop at least 13 ports on AP coast of which three to four would be international container ports," he said.

He sought to build a strong argument that the scope for development of AP was very large. We have vast mineral sources like bauxite reserves in Visakahpatnam, coal deposits in Chilakalapudi and bayrites in seema region. The economic mosaic of the state would undergo a radical transformation if they are tapped properly without hurting the interests of the locals like the tribals in the bauxite rich agency area in Visakhapatnam.

Referring to the future of the party in both the states of AP and Telangana, he said that the party would continue to grow in the two states as it was founded to benefit Telugus. "TDP will be in TS and AP and also in other states and it would soon become a national party. Party's election symbol - bicycle - would continue, he said allaying the fears of the people that once the party becomes a national party, the symbol may not be allotted to TDP.

Naidu made no secret of his intention to expand the base of the party in Telangana. "We have a good network of party workers. Some leaders might desert us but the party structure is intact and we will develop on it despite the efforts of some (read TRS) to prevent our growth by campaigning against us," he said.

Expressing concern over growth of sand and red sanders mafias, he said that the government would curb them with an iron hand. "They are creation of erstwhile Congress government. The red-sanders smuggling is done by those who pass off as politicians during daytime and take the avatar of smugglers at nights," he said.