Chandrababu Naidu looks back at his "most difficult" year, gives a peek into his Amaravati plan
N.
Chandrababu Naidu
, in an interview to ToI, said he considers his first year as Chief Minister during this fourth term as the most difficult yet. In the conversation with ToI's Robin David and Srikanth Aluri, he highlighted ongoing struggles against what he describes as "economic terrorists."
Naidu
believes these challenges stem from the previous YSRCP government's alleged mismanagement, which he claims has resulted in significant financial losses for the state.
During the interview, Naidu detailed the financial burdens inherited from the last five years of governance. He pointed out the staggering Rs 9,000 crore loss from cancelled power purchase agreements, alongside Rs 55,000 crore wasted in the
Polavaram project
and further losses in
Amaravati
. In his view, rebuilding from such setbacks is no small feat.
"Not minus 10, it was like minus 100 when I took over," he said, emphasising the scale of the economic challenges. Despite this, Naidu insists that growth is achievable through careful planning and technology.
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Naidu is optimistic about achieving a 15% growth rate over the next 25 years. He believes this can be realised by integrating advanced technology into various sectors, including education and agriculture. "Everything is possible with vision, planning and foolproof execution," he stated, asserting that real-time data could significantly enhance productivity.
The aim is to attract investments in defence and aerospace technologies, projecting that these sectors can create numerous job opportunities and boost exports, Naidu said.
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Regarding the capital's legal status, Naidu has reached out to the Union government to amend the AP Reorganisation Act to officially designate Amaravati as the state capital. He believes establishing legal sanctity is essential, but he remains committed to combating what he refers to as "evil elements" undermining the state's development.
Naidu also expressed concerns about
Andhra Pradesh
's representation in Parliament following the delimitation process. He noted that population shifts have affected the state's political standing, urging for a national population management strategy to ensure fair representation.
Reflecting on the state's investment strategies, Naidu welcomed the growing competition among Chief Ministers to attract investments, stating, "As long as your brand is strong, people will be with you." He sees this as a positive development for the country.
Naidu is keen on collaborating with the Gates Foundation to implement preventive healthcare solutions using artificial intelligence. He said he envisions Amaravati as a model for holistic healthcare, starting with a pilot project in Kuppam before expanding across the state.
Naidu's ambitious plans include establishing a Quantum Valley in Amaravati, similar to Silicon Valley in the USA. He emphasised the importance of commercialising technology, especially in defence and aerospace, to stimulate job creation and economic growth.
While Naidu acknowledged the need for improved social infrastructure in Amaravati, he assured that efforts are underway to develop the necessary facilities. The aim is to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits the entire region, not just Amaravati, he said.
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