Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed confidence that the state can achieve a growth rate of 17.11% by focusing on optimal utilization of water resources, employment generation, increasing agricultural productivity through adoption of modern technology wherever needed, expanding production and tapping the full potential of the fisheries sector.
The best practices in governance should be implemented from the district level to ensure better administration to keep the people happy, Mr. Naidu exhorted the officials while delivering the inaugural address at the two-day Collectors’ Conference that began at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Proper planning was essential, he said, noting that Andhra Pradesh, which used to compete with Telangana, had fallen to the last position in South India due to the policies of the previous government.
Mr. Naidu further said that “speed in delivery of governance” is crucial and people’s representatives play a significant role in realizing the goals.
He said feedback from the public was being sought and unless the issues raised by them were quickly addressed and their issues resolved, the government would not be able to make meaningful progress.
The government has been constantly monitoring the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to make necessary course corrections, the chief minister noted, noting that this would be possible only when officials from the grassroots to the collectors perform their duties effectively.
Mr. Naidu emphasized the need for a proper work culture in the government where officials should clear files quickly to make administration smooth. In the finance department, the situation was prevalent where files were handed over to others without being resolved. That should change because otherwise people would face problems, he said, and ordered that decisions be made through data-driven management.
The government has revived several Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) which had lapsed due to the negligence of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, Mr Naidu said. The central funds provided for CSS which remained unspent should be spent by January 15, 2026.
Of the ₹24,513 crore sanctioned for various CSS, ₹6,252 crore was not spent. Notably, only 38% of the funds under PMAY have been spent. The Center would provide an additional ₹5,000 to ₹6,000 crore on full utilization of funds under existing schemes, the Chief Minister said, urging the Collectors to act as “ambassadors of the government” and earn a good name.
Mr Naidu said the government was giving equal importance to development and welfare and had fulfilled all the major promises made to the people ahead of the 2024 elections. Investments worth ₹11.20 lakh crore were secured at the CII partnership summit in Visakhapatnam last month as the coalition government resurrected the state’s brand image, he claimed.
PPP model
Asserting that the medical colleges being built under the PPP model will function as government colleges and will be regulated by the government, the chief minister said it is not correct to say that these colleges are in the process of privatisation.
“The YSRCP government mobilized loans at high interest rates (up to 14%), which put tremendous pressure on state finances. We are now easing this burden by rescheduling loans,” Mr. Naidu pointed out.
He further called for preparation of short, medium (five years) and long term (10 to 15 years) plans for agriculture sector for three seasons and major investment in horticulture for which there is huge potential in Rayalaseema region.
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, Ministers N. Lokesh, A. Satya Prasad, K. Atchannaidu, N.Md. Among those present were Farooq and K. Ravindra, Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand and Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta.
Published – 17 Dec 2025 19:13 IST
