Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan today said that the State Gross Domestic product is expected to register a growth of about 5.29 per cent during 2012-13 as against the national average of 4.96 per cent.
Delivering the budget session address to the State Legislature amidst protests and boycott by opposition members, he said Andhra Pradesh could register an average growth rate of 8.18 per cent during the XI Plan with per capita income tripling in nine years.
The per capita income crossed Rs 77,250 compared with Rs 68,970 in 2011-12. The State has a projected outlay of Rs 3,42,842 crore for the XII Plan, this is more than twice the outlay of XI Plan.
During his 30-minute speech to the joint session, opposition parties Telugu Desam, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Left parties adopted different approaches — boycotting, protesting, walking out and slogan shouting in the House.
The Governor said the growth of the State’s economy was satisfactory despite unfavourable seasonal conditions during the XI Plan and uncertainty in the global economy.
Glossing over achievements of the State, he said that the accent will be on welfare measures and all-round development.
The State is coming out with a separate plan for the farming sector along with the budget documents of 2013-14. Credit flow to farmers has increased to Rs 52,972 crore during 2012-13.
Highlighting the thrust provided on irrigation sector, he said efforts were on to secure national project status for Polavaram and the Pranahitha-Chevella projects.
The State was committed to supply free power to farmers even though the power situation has been difficult.
AP Genco expects to add 2,200 MW within 12 months and another 1,200 MW is likely from the private sector. In addition, solar and wind energy sectors are likely to augment capacity, he said.
The Centre’s approval of two national manufacturing zones in the State will attract Rs 30,000 crore each and provide 6 lakh jobs. The IT and ITES sectors have created 3.19 lakh jobs.
With services sector accounting for over 50 per cent of the gross state domestic product, it is proposed to groom youth to brace up for job opportunities. The Rajiv Yuva Kiranalu Scheme aims at facilitating about 15 lakh jobs in the industrial sector.