AP to give priority to rural infrastructure: CM

Hyderabad, Mar 3 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Government would give priority to building rural infrastructure under all programmes and policies to help boost development and welfare, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said today.

According to an official release here, Dr Reddy, who was in New Delhi, said during an informal discussion with officials concerned his government would release 'state focus paper' on March five at the state credit seminar being convened by the NABARD in the city.

The main objective of the seminar was to discuss credit potential for farm and non-farm sectors in the state for 2007-08.

Stating Andhra Pradesh was the biggest beneficiary of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) assistance from NABARD with Rs 690 crore works already sanctioned, the Chief Minister said 'our ultimate goal is to enable the rural population to be self-reliant.

Village link roads, financial assistance, entrepreneurship development and drinking water were some of the areas to achieve overall development in villages.

The second phase of the INDIRAMMA programme would be launched on April one, Dr Reddy said adding that 'there could be no real development unless public servants went to rural areas and get to know the actual problems confronting people.' UNI