The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy, today said that the State’s and their stand on the retail FDI mirrors that of the Congress Party’s.

He felt that only three cities the State have the possibility of opening up of large stores in the State.

During an informal chat with reporters at the State Legislative Assembly, Mr Reddy said they need to invest Rs 5,000 crore each and 30-40 per cent of the of the products have to be sourced from the small and medium scale enterprises. In fact there is a general thinking that retail FDI would help the consumers and producers.

Mentioning about Balaji Dairy run by self help groups in Chittoor district of the State, he said they were now getting Rs 21 per litre for the milk supplied as against Rs 6 earlier.

Referring to the issues relating to managing 104 and 108 emergency health care services, he said that some of the issues relating them would be sorted out shortly and their functioning streamlined.

On the issue of bureaucrats demand to make ministers accountable with regard to irregularities in implementation of works, the Chief Minister felt that ministers do sign on note files. And thereafter, Government orders issued.

During a nearly hour-long interaction, Mr Reddy said that the Government was committed to 108 emergency services, provide 15 lakh jobs and complete 48 irrigation projects over the next three years. Top priority would be accorded to completion of irrigation projects and thereby bring more areas under cultivation.

The Chief Minister ruled out any changes to the Polavaram dam design. This project coming up on river Godavari is likely to create problems if changes are brought about in its design. The Government is actively pursuing with the Centre to secure national project status for the project on which already about rs.3500 crore has been invested.

For three major projects — Polavaram, Pranahitha-Chevella and Nagarjunasgar tailpond, about Rs. 70,000 crore would be required, he said.

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