Andhra Pradesh Government Sets Ambitious Housing Target of 10 Lakh Units by Year-End
In a significant announcement during the state assembly's budget session on Friday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu revealed that the Andhra Pradesh government has set an ambitious target to construct 10 lakh houses by the conclusion of this calendar year. The declaration came as part of a comprehensive discussion on budgetary allocations dedicated to housing and agricultural sectors, highlighting the administration's dual focus on infrastructure development and rural empowerment.
Housing Initiative Progress and Future Plans
Chief Minister Naidu provided a detailed breakdown of the housing scheme's current status and upcoming milestones. He confirmed that 3 lakh houses have already been successfully handed over to beneficiaries, marking a substantial achievement in the initial phase of the program. Furthermore, an additional 3 lakh units are scheduled for completion by the Ugadi festival, which will significantly advance the overall target.
The government has meticulously planned house-warming ceremonies to celebrate these accomplishments, with 2.26 lakh units slated for inauguration in June and another 2.10 lakh units in September. Naidu made a heartfelt appeal to all eligible individuals currently without homes to promptly submit their applications, ensuring they can benefit from this transformative initiative.
Land Allotment and Addressing Past Irregularities
In a move to provide tangible support, the state has identified 2.20 lakh families who are either without proper housing or lack designated house sites. To address this critical need, the government will allocate land free of cost to eligible beneficiaries, with specific provisions: 2 cents in urban areas and 3 cents in rural regions. This policy aims to facilitate home ownership and stability for thousands of households across Andhra Pradesh.
Chief Minister Naidu also addressed concerns regarding previous administrations, acknowledging that large-scale irregularities had occurred in site allotments under the former government. He assured the assembly and the public that all such cases would be thoroughly examined, with a firm commitment to holding those responsible accountable under the law. This stance underscores the current administration's dedication to transparency and justice in governance.
Comprehensive Agricultural Reforms and Support Schemes
Shifting focus to agriculture, Naidu emphasized the sector's vital role, noting that Andhra Pradesh contributes an impressive 10% to the national GDP from agricultural activities. The government is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to strengthen this backbone of the state's economy, incorporating agri-tech innovations, water security measures, demand-based crop cultivation, food processing enhancements, improved marketing channels, and robust state support.
The Chief Minister outlined several key support schemes designed to empower farmers and boost productivity. In a significant infrastructure boost, 69,000 new agriculture power connections have been issued, supplementing the existing 22.5 lakh pump sets. To alleviate financial burdens, the government is investing ₹13,722 crore to provide free power to agriculture pump sets, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential resources.
Financial Assistance and Investment in Agri-Value Addition
Under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, substantial financial support has been disbursed, with ₹6,309 crore reaching 47 lakh farmers. This includes ₹6,000 per farmer from the Union government, complemented by the state's contribution of ₹14,000 per annum to every eligible farmer. These measures aim to enhance rural incomes and stabilize agricultural livelihoods.
Naidu highlighted the state's success in attracting investments, with ₹14,230 crore secured for food processing projects. He stressed the importance of value addition to increase farmer revenues, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in agro-industrial growth. Ambitious plans include expanding natural farming to cover 50 lakh acres, developing Rayalaseema into a horticulture hub through a ₹30,000 crore cluster plan—potentially scaling to ₹1 lakh crore with private investment—and providing aqua units with power at a subsidized rate of ₹1.50 per unit to establish AP as a premier aquaculture hub. Additionally, a large cocoa city is planned in Eluru, further diversifying the agricultural portfolio.
This comprehensive announcement reflects the Andhra Pradesh government's holistic approach to development, integrating housing welfare with agricultural advancement to drive sustainable growth across the state.
