While the Union Government prioritises welfare and development with infrastructure and industrial progress, Andhra Pradesh faces challenges due to the perceived lack of commitment from the State Government. Freebies are distributed for votes without formulating enduring, advantageous schemes, impacting the state’s overall development.
Since 2014, Andhra Pradesh has received substantial funds, including 3,50,000 crores in taxes, 3,50,000 crores in grants, 20,000 crores in loans, 1,20,000 crores for national highways, and 62,000 crores for railway development. Despite allocations for initiatives like Sagara Mala, Smart City, Amrit Scheme, and backward district development, the state’s progress falls short of expectations.
After the poorly conceived bifurcation of the State, Andhra Pradesh acquired Hyderabad city as the shared capital with a 10-year time limit. The post-partition Government, led by the Telugu Desam Party, decided that the state’s governance should be conducted not from Hyderabad but from Andhra Pradesh. The Bifurcation Act encompasses various aspects such as the capital, the Polavaram water project, central institutions, educational institutions, IIMs, railway zones, and special financial assistance to backward districts.
The State Governments’ decisions had changed over time on issues like special status, which is not legally mandated in the bill, and on the matter of the capital. The state assembly passed a resolution agreeing to a special package of benefits beyond the special status as per the rules of the 14th Finance Commission. However, in 2017, the same Government again attempted to pressure the centre for special status. As per the Act, the Union Government granted Polavaram national status. In line with the then-State Government’s preference, they agreed to assume responsibility for constructing Polavaram, and the centre committed to funding the project. The centre has officially designated Amaravati as the capital, and 2500 crore funds have been released. The state government has taken over the administration with a temporary secretariat and high court.
In 2019, the Government changed, and YSRCP came to power and announced Three capitals instead of One. Despite strong opposition, the state government’s stance remains unchanged, and the matter is currently before the courts. Apart from the then-temporary secretariat, no new construction for the capital has been initiated. Due to flawed and anti-public planning, the lands acquired for the capital are unproductive, causing distress to farmers as the soil is unsuitable for cultivation. The materials purchased at a significant cost for construction projects, including residences and offices, still need to be used due to incomplete construction. Despite the release of substantial funds by the Center for Polavaram, the state government’s efforts must be more sincere, and progress on the project falls short of expectations.
The State Government has yet to allocate even nominal funds for numerous irrigation projects, resulting in drying fields and wasted rainwater flowing into the sea. Large Industrial Corridors like Visakha-Chennai (Srikalahasti, Visakha, Cuddapah) (VCIC), Chennai-Hyderabad (Orvakallu) (CHIC), and Chennai-Bengaluru (Krishnapatnam) (CBIC) with a combined value of 5,544 crores are planned to employ 1,80,000 and 98,000 people, respectively. Despite abundant natural and human resources in every district of Andhra Pradesh, the current state government’s laxity, factionalism, corruption, and intimidation are causing industries to relocate to other states, leading to job migration.
Many international companies, including KIA and cell phone manufacturers, initially supported by the central Government, have witnessed a decline in productivity. Income for any government is generated through industries and comes in the form of taxes, contributing to local development. Allocating a certain percentage of this income to roads and other infrastructure projects creates long-term assets, fostering overall development. Unfortunately, the Government has failed to implement appropriate policies and provide quality electricity and water to industries.
While the Union Government has established over 50 institutions, the state needs to provide them with basic facilities such as access roads, electricity, and water. In the last decade, the Center has completed several railway projects pending for 25 years since the Congress government’s tenure in the state. However, the State Government must give the required land for other railway projects. The allocation of 52 acres of land for the Visakha Special Railway Zone is still pending by the state. The Center has allocated 2500 crores for 14 projects like fishing harbours and berths under Sagaramala. However, the state has yet to show any interest in materialising the benefits of these projects, which can provide employment to locals and develop the surrounding areas. The central Government has introduced ambitious schemes like “Vocal for Local” and “One District One Product,” which have the potential to provide local employment to lakhs of people. Unfortunately, the state government seems disinterested in delivering these benefits to the people.
The Center has sanctioned the establishment of a Medical Device Manufacturing Park, and Andhra Pradesh boasts over 250 pharmaceutical companies. However, the State Government must show more initiative to further develop these industries. Andhra Pradesh is highly conducive to aquaculture, Dairy, Horticulture, Automobile, Solar, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Electronics, IT, and Manufacturing. The state has contributed millions of IT, medical, and business professionals globally and holds the highest number of women entrepreneurs, including Defense equipment manufacturers. The Union Government has released hundreds of crores for skill development and entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, the lack of vision from the current leadership has left the people of Andhra filled with despair. Andhra Pradesh, with its energetic, hardworking, and intellectually powerful population, is being kept in a state of lethargy.
Today’s Jagan Government has forcefully transformed the people into a free, direct, money-based vote bank, providing only temporary benefits in the name of person-centric schemes. While welfare schemes address the immediate needs of the people, permanent solutions for their future are needed.
Rather than allocating thousands of crores to private hospitals for schemes like Arogyashri, it would be more beneficial to enhance facilities in government hospitals and ensure the safety of Arogyashri. Direct cash benefits through schemes like Amma Odi offer temporary relief but do not lead to long-term self-employment for women. While cash is being directly deposited through schemes like YSR Chayutha and YSR Asara to gain votes, it would be more beneficial for women and the state to create an environment that transforms these individuals into entrepreneurs.
The Union Government’s support through initiatives like Mudra, Stand Up, Start-Up India, Vishwakarma Yojana for 18 types of handicraft traders, and PM Swanidhi for street vendors can contribute to significant industrial progress. Instead of freebies, the state can support these schemes more and benefit the people at large. As part of providing numerous welfare and development schemes across the country, the Center also funds hundreds of welfare schemes in Andhra Pradesh. The Union Government has provided 24 lakh houses to the state, benefits to 61 lakh farmers, water to 35 lakh houses, free ration to 2.68 crore people, and nutritious food to 15 lakh women. Over the past decade, it has become a trend for State Governments to present central schemes as their own for political advantage.
However, instead of making efforts in that direction, the Jagan Government distributes money directly to the people through various schemes, gains political benefits in elections, and favours a welfare approach that relies solely on debts. This poses a significant threat to the people of the state and the overall interests of the state.
The state’s reliance on freebies without generating income sources and substantial spending has plunged it into debt, causing damage to the economic and social fabric. In Andhra Pradesh, susceptible to natural calamities like cyclones, the current Government is witnessing environmental degradation, with extensive sand excavation, hill crushing for mining, illegal cutting of red sandalwood trees, and unauthorised constructions on river and seashores going unchecked. This inaction poses a severe threat to the state’s environment.
Indeed, as Narendra Modi stressed, a country’s progress hinges on the development of every state. The Central Government supports welfare and development initiatives nationwide, including numerous schemes in Andhra Pradesh. Let’s hope for significant development in the state of Andhra Pradesh soon.
In the 21st century, India has aimed for comprehensive development for over 25 years, prioritising the poor, youth, women, and farmers. The phased approach includes attention to the deprived, middle class, and various segments of society. New India’s pillars are self-reliance, driven by collective efforts and participation of 140 crore citizens through ‘Sabka Prayas’ and ‘Jan Bhagidari.’
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