Reiterating the governments were answerable to the people, Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Monday said good governance was an important tool in achieving sustainable development and welfare of the weaker sections.
Addressing the gathering at the 55th Andhra Pradesh State Formation Day celebrations at the NTR Stadium, the Chief Minister said that two main goals before his government were to achieve sustainable development and welfare of the weaker sections.
“I assure once again on the occasion of State formation day that my government would make concerted efforts in this direction”, he stated.
Mr Rosaiah claimed that welfare of the poor was top priority to the State government and it should be reflected in every programme.
Listing the welfare schemes, Rosaiah said the main objective of the welfare schemes was to build confidence among the people that the government was working for their uplift.
“Though the government has taken up several schemes, they will be of no use, if their results were not percolated to the beneficiaries. The people expect ‘quality of good governance’ from democratic governments that respond quickly to their problems and issues,” he opined.
Rosaiah said that though economic progress was encouraging in 2009-10, the State government made continuous efforts to improve the situation. The financial condition of the State improved satisfactorily due to our efforts, he added.
The revenue of the State government also increased by 25.5 per cent in the first six months of the financial year compared to the same period last year. “We should continue our efforts to achieve the goals set by the government for the welfare of the people”, he added.
Expressing happiness over the progress and development of agriculture sector in the State, the Chief Minister said that it was estimated that total crop production in Kharif and Rabi seasons would be more than 210 lakhs metric tons this year.
The target of the crop loan lending was set at Rs 34,800 crores this year as against Rs 30,768 crores last year. Reminding that the government was implementing crop insurance by taking village as a unit, he said that the crop loss during 2009 Khariff season due to drought and floods was estimated at Rs 699 crores. Out of this, Rs 268 crores would be released soon, he added.
Rosaiah said that good agriculture and better irrigation facility in the State would speed up rural development ensuring healthy economic condition.
Stating that the State government was giving priority to the welfare of the SCs/STs, Rosaiah said that Rs 363-crore financial assistance has been extended to 2.88 lakh SCs under the 2010-11 SC Action Plan. Moreover, the subsidy was increased to 50 percent in this year’s action plan, he added.
The Chief Minister also disclosed that infrastructure facilities would be developed in the Urban areas during the next five years with Rs 1,670- crore World Bank loan and Rs 1,919 crore from 13th Plan under Andhra Pradesh Development Project. To improve the standard of the secondary education, action would be taken to set up model schools in 737 schools under CSS in the State, he added.
The Chief Minister also assured that the government has been striving to protect Telugu culture and tradition.
“I had a desire that the people of all regions and sections live in peace and prosperity and the State witness speedy development”, he added.
The Chief Minister felicitated G Valliswar, Chief Editor, ‘Andhra Pradesh’ journal with an award of appreciation. He is the first executive in I&PR department to have received any award from the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier, Rosaiah offered floral tributes to Amarajeevi Sri Potti Sriramulu statue and Telugu Thalli statue near Secretariat on the occasion of Formation Day.
Minister for Health Danam Nagender, Minister for BC Welfare M Mukesh Goud, Minister for Transport S Vijayarama Rao, Minister for Minor Irrigation Sunitha Laxma Reddy, Musheerabad MLA Manemma Anjaiah, GHMC Mayor Banda Kartheeka Reddy, Chief Secretary S V Prasad, Director General of Police Aravinda Rao attended the function.