Govt committed for integrated development in all sectors: Minister

Hyderabad, May 10 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Information and Public Relations Minister Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy today said the state government was committed to integrating development in all sectors, including agriculture, industry, irrigation, health and employment.

Speaking at a press conference here, for the first time after assuming charge, he said the state government had taken up several welfare schemes during the last three years and initiated measures for the overall development of the state.

He said the state government had taken up 42 irrigation projects under the prestigious 'Jalayagnam' scheme to provide water to one crore acres of land, with an estimated cost of Rs one lakh crore.

Mr Reddy said the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had fulfilled all promises made during the elections, including free power supply to farmers and waiving of arrears worth Rs 1,200 crore.

He claimed that the Andhra Pradesh government was the first in the country to supply electricity to all villages without increasing the tariff for the last three years and quality power supply in the agriculture sector.

He said due to government's efforts, farmers' suicides in the state had drastically reduced and the government announced financial package for the families of those farmers who had committed suicide.

He said the government had been supplying quality seeds to farmers and providing market price for the produce with a view to increasing the economic conditions of the farmers.

Mr Reddy said the software exports had increased from Rs 5,000 crore to 18,000 crore and stood top in the country. The government was developing 53 SEZs in the private and public sector in the state.

The government had given more importance to education and started Engineering Colleges and Medical Colleges in the backward areas in the state.

The Rajiv Gandhi International airport here would be operational from next year, he added.

UNI