Secure Central funds, boost A.P.'s revenue sources, Naidu tells officials

The Hindu

16 hours ago

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has underscored the importance of securing central government funds and improving tax devolution to strengthen Andhra Pradesh's finances. He also directed officials to pursue these priorities proactively while ensuring close monitoring of collections through the A.P. Tax Information System.
Mr. Naidu, who reviewed the performance of revenue-generating departments on Thursday, stressed the need to enhance the State's own revenue sources and instructed that fuel for contract works, such as petrol and diesel, be purchased within Andhra Pradesh to prevent leakage to neighbouring States.
In the current fiscal year, the State's revenue is expected to increase by 8% compared to the previous year. Public health must take precedence over excise revenue, and land registration values should reflect actual market prices rather than inflated figures. The services sector offers significant untapped potential for generating additional tax income, he said.
Mr. Naidu called for a scientific analysis of property sales, the use of data analytics to track values, and the application of artificial intelligence to detect tax evasion and prevent leakages in government income.
Data mapping
The Chief Minister further ordered that land details be mapped using GIS for e-registrations and accurate boundary identification. RTGS and CCTV systems must be used to ensure proper vehicle tax collection, present incentives for electric vehicles should be continued, and the scrap vehicle policy should be implemented in line with the central guidelines. Mining activities are to be monitored through drones and satellite technology supported by data analytics.
Auto-mutation should be implemented across all municipal corporations using technology-based data and RTGS records. Municipal records should be corrected and geo-tagged, and Aadhaar, mobile, and electricity data should be integrated to strengthen tax collection, he said.
Officials informed him that the village boundary survey under the Swamitva scheme would be completed by February 2026.
Mr. Naidu ordered regular audits of panchayat accounts.
'The State can earn about ₹1,500 crore from the sale of red sandalwood stocks held by the Forest Department,'' the Chief Minister said, and urged exploration of opportunities in the international market. Steps should be taken to generate revenue from bamboo-based products, he added.