Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah on Monday said a concerted effort from all quarters was required to ensure that the State did not suffer energy shortages.
Addressing members of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FAPCCI), he said that for the economy to grow at 12 per cent per annum, an 18 per cent increase in power generation was essential, in tune with the recommendations of the Rakesh Mohan Committee.
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This called for massive mobilisation of resources from private investments, he told the gathering at FAPCCI's 92nd annual function, before giving away awards to entrepreneurs. “I would like to chart out a new development agenda for the State to transform and modernise the economy in about a decade and I seek your support in this endeavour,” he said.
Stating that agriculture continued to be the mainstay for 67 per cent of the State's population, Mr. Rosaiah said that apart from initiatives taken to improve the lot of the rural people, the ambitious irrigation programme ‘Jalayagnam' was being given the highest priority.
FAPCCI president K. Harishchandra Prasad said that in a few years, less than 30 per cent of the State's population would rely on farming as a source of income.
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The food processing industry had the potential of engaging a huge chunk of rural populationAvailability of power, land and water supply was important for coordinated growth. Power was a vital catalyst for development and it was in this area that the State had a problem, he said. The ever-growing gap between demand and supply was a concern that needed to be addressed, he said.
Earlier, FAPCCI's Immediate Past president Suraj Prasad Agarwal welcomed the gathering while senior vice-president Shekhar Agarwal proposed a vote of thanks. The award winners were introduced by Awards Committee Chairman Atluri Subba Rao.