Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu addressed a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, highlighting critical issues facing the State and his discussions with Union Ministers. He detailed his meetings with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari regarding State concerns.
The CM underscored the pressing issue of land grabbing in Andhra Pradesh, stating that six out of 10 legal cases in the State pertained to land disputes. He pointed out that the absence of proper checks and balances in the land computerisation process has led to large-scale encroachments, with private lands even being included under Section 22E and taken over. Chandrababu explained that both urban and rural areas are affected and urged the Centre to clear the AP Land Grabbing Prohibition Bill, citing Gujarat’s existing model as a precedent. He stressed that the burden of proof should rest on the grabber to curb illegal activities.
The CM also addressed law enforcement concerns, including the prevalence of bootlegging and illicit drug cultivation. He praised the EAGLE force for effectively controlling the cultivation of ganja and reiterated his government’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs and heinous crimes. To support farmers, Chandrababu assured incentives for alternative crops to replace ganja cultivation and pledged continued efforts to eliminate illicit activities.
Discussing Andhra Pradesh’s financial situation with Nirmala Sitharaman, Chandrababu criticised the previous government for leaving behind Rs. 10 lakh crore in outstanding arrears, creating a saturated loan scenario. Despite this, he highlighted the State’s recent economic growth, reporting a 12.94 per cent increase overall and a 15.86 per cent growth in the agricultural sector. He stressed the need to boost the service sector and achieve a sustainable 15 per cent growth rate to create wealth rather than relying on borrowing.
Water resource management was another key topic in his discussions. The CM underscored the importance of interlinking rivers to prevent water wastage and provide irrigation to drought-prone regions like Rayalaseema. He proposed linking Polavaram to Banakacharla, along with the Vamsadhara, Nagavalli, Penna, and Krishna rivers, ensuring efficient water distribution. He stated that 200 TMC of water, which currently goes to waste, could be diverted for agricultural and drinking purposes.
Infrastructure development was also a priority during his talks with Union Ministers. The Chief Minister requested Nitin Gadkari for the completion of the Amaravati Outer Ring Road, spanning 189 km, and emphasised the need for an eight-lane ORR similar to the one built in Hyderabad. He also discussed the importance of an eastern bypass road in Andhra Pradesh and proposed solutions to address traffic congestion at Srisailam, including the construction of elevated roads. Further discussions included the Vizag to Mulapet coastal road and a direct Hyderabad to Machilipatnam port road, with DPRs currently in preparation.
Answering media queries, Chandrababu criticised the previous administration’s handling of prohibition, alleging that liquor income had been mortgaged for 25 years.
He also addressed concerns regarding demographic trends, noting that South India’s aging population poses challenges, whereas States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have a younger demographic. He advocated incentives for families to have more children, emphasising the need for long-term demographic management rather than population control.
Regarding Hindi imposition, the CM reaffirmed that language should be a tool for communication rather than a barrier to knowledge. He encouraged the promotion of multiple languages and highlighted the necessity for education in one’s mother tongue while also acknowledging Hindi’s role in national integration.
The CM concluded by emphasising Andhra Pradesh’s potential as a green energy and hydrogen hub, highlighting Rs. 6.5 lakh crore in upcoming investments. He assured that the State is positioning itself as a prime destination for industries and innovation, reinforcing his commitment to economic growth and sustainable development.
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