Cohesion between departments necessary to achieve growth: Naidu

On the second day of the Collectors' Conference in Vijayawada, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized on adopting a cohesive approach among all the departments to achieve double-digit growth.

The district collectors were also directed to assist the concerned departments on pre-identified, specific, growth promoting, large social and economic projects, which require interdepartmental synergy.The Chief Minister reviewed presentations on Industries, Tourism and IT missions.

Industry Mission:
With Andhra Pradesh having made an impact throughits investor-friendly initiatives by emerging as the 2nd best state in the country on Ease of Doing Business, the Chief Minister expressed confidence in reaching number one position soon. He also congratulated the Industries Department for implementing initiatives which made AP investor-friendly.

In order to bolster industrial growth in the state, the Industries department is aiming to attract Rs 2 lakh crore investments by 2020. The Chief Minister also stressed on establishing Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) as a strong institution by partnering with industries.

Tourism Mission:
With an aim to transform Andhra Pradesh into a Tourism Hub, the Chief Minister said the tourism sector has been completely reoriented to increase the sector's contribution to GSDP to Rs 73,218 crore by 2020.

Secretary (Tourism) Neerab Kumar elaborated on theme-based development on tourism projects with district-wise indicators.

IT Mission:
Asserting on fostering innovation and IT culture in the state, the Chief Minister said the Madhurawada Signature Tower in Vizag must emerge as a symbolic representation of the IT industry in the country. The Chief Minister also suggested on transforming the engineering colleges in the state into incubation centres, in order to make the students market ready.

With an aim to become digitally-empowered state, the Chief Minister said that the government will soon switch to certificate-less governance through ePragati. He also stressed on real-time updation of government records to ensure transparency and easy access. Following the success of the government's pilot project, he said, other states are now approaching AP to serve as a consultant.

Roads and Buildings:
The Chief Minister directed the officials and collectors to make Andhra Pradesh's roads free of potholes and repair all battered roads. Blacklist contractors who construct low quality roads, he said.

Asserting on the maintaining the quality of roads and buildings, he said adequate funds will be provided for repair and restoration works.

Deputy CM K.E. Krishna Murthy, Ministers NimmakayalaChinnaRajappa, YanamalaRamakrishnudu, P. Narayana, GantaSrinivasa Rao, Palle Raghunatha Reddy, AyyannaPatrudu, Siddha Raghava Rao, Acchan Naidu, KamineniSrinivas, Ravela Kishore Babu,Manikyala Rao, Peethala Sujatha and Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao, Special Chief Secretary (Planning) S.P. Tucker, Advisor (Communications) Dr. Parakala Prabhakar and all heads of departments were present. (INN)