Economic independence would eliminate social inequalities and the State government in a democratic set up has initiated several reforms and is working towards progress of the State without social, caste and communal differences, Minister for Finance and district in-charge Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said at the 70{+t}{+h}Independence Day celebrations at the Police stadium here on Monday.
Service sector would develop if agriculture and industrial areas witnessed progress and this would lead to economic independence and thereby elimination of disparities, he said.
Andhra Pradesh is progressing towards Swarnandhrapradesh under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu after it received a raw deal in the unscientific division of the State and Visakhapatnam is playing a key role in the State’s economy, he said. “It is first in the State as far as per capita income is concerned with Rs. 1,40,628 though its gross national produce according to estimates for 2015-16 and present prices is Rs.70,470 crore. Its GDP growth rate of 13.58 compared is better than State’s growth rate of 10.99 per cent,” Mr. Ramakrishnudu noted in his address. Efforts are being made to make the district No.1 in gross national product also.
There was need to improve agriculture scene in the district and the Polavaram left main canal would be completed soon, he said.
Port is a great advantage for Visakhapatnam and once the port is developed the city would become No. 1 in the country, he felt. There was also a need to make use of the natural resources in the tribal areas of the district.
Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, Collector Pravin Kumar, Chairperson of Zilla Praja Parishad Lalam Bhavani, Commissioner of Police T. Yoganand, VUDA Vice-Chairman T. Baburao Naidu, Commissioner of GVMC Harinarayanan, Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma, MP K. Haribabu, MLAs, officials, freedom fighters and general public attended.
Mr. Ramakrishnudu unfurled the National flag and took salute at a march past of police, NCC and NSS contingents. Various government departments, Sri Varahanrushima Swamy Devasthanam and GVMC presented tableux.
Children of several schools presented cultural programme. The Malkhamb show on ropes presented by children, mostly girls, of ZPP High School, Vommavaram was impressive. Sacred Heart Aided High school, Vijayam School, APSW Residential School at Tallapalem, KGBV of Anandpuram, Sri Chaintaya School at Ramnagar and Jubilee English Medium School of Gnanapuram presented patriotic dances.
Mr. Ramakrishnudu gave away merit certificates to as many as 479 officers and employees of various government offices and institutions and social workers and assets worth Rs. 106.42 crore to 4,428 beneficiaries of various government schemes.
