Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu Advocates for Legal Simplification to Enhance Governance and Business Speed
In a significant move to streamline administrative processes, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh emphasized on Monday the urgent need to simplify redundant laws and irrelevant rules. He stated that this simplification is crucial for improving the speed of governance and accelerating the ease of doing business across the state.
Review of State Revenue and Growth Targets
During his third quarterly review meeting, which included ministers, principal secretaries, heads of departments, district collectors, and SPs, CM Naidu focused on assessing progress toward the state's 2047 vision targets. He highlighted a concerning statistic: despite achieving better growth rates in agriculture, Andhra Pradesh's own revenues stand at only 7.6% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). This figure is notably below that of neighboring states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
For the 2025-26 financial year, the state government had set an ambitious State Owned Revenue (SOR) target of ₹1,34,208 crore, representing a 29% increase from the previous fiscal year. However, by January 2026, collections reached only ₹83,500 crore, achieving just 62% of the annual goal. Despite this shortfall, January alone saw collections of ₹9,338 crore, marking an 11% rise compared to the same month last year, with an annual growth rate of 5%.
Breakdown of Revenue Sources and Sectoral Performance
Commercial taxes continue to be the largest contributor to state revenue, with collections totaling ₹42,861 crore by January 2026, reflecting a 4% year-on-year increase. Other key revenue streams included:
- GST collections at ₹27,659 crore
- Excise collections reaching ₹14,968 crore
- Stamps and registration revenue at ₹9,103 crore, showing a robust 27% rise that indicates a revival in the real estate sector
- Motor vehicle tax collections standing at ₹4,016 crore
- Mines and geology revenue posting ₹2,432 crore, with a notable 33% growth
Emphasis on Technology Adoption and Governance Efficiency
CM Naidu stressed that the speed of governance delivery can be significantly enhanced through the efficient use of technology. He pointed to the widespread public engagement with the Quantum Valley foundation-laying event, which was followed by 6.2 crore people, as evidence of technology's potential impact. He called for expediting the installation of sensors in reservoirs to improve monitoring and management.
"Technology should be treated as a facilitative tool, and all departments must fully implement WhatsApp Governance and run awareness campaigns through Mee Seva," Naidu asserted. He directed officials to leverage these platforms to streamline communication and service delivery.
Reforms to Simplify Business Approvals and Regulations
Taking serious note of bureaucratic hurdles, CM Naidu announced reforms aimed at simplifying rules and enabling faster approvals. He cited an example where 37 approvals are currently required to start a flour mill, calling such processes inefficient. The reforms will ensure that certificates can be accessed online through DigiVerify without the need for repeated submissions, reducing red tape.
Naidu instructed departments including fire services, municipal administration, forest, and school education to further streamline regulations and review laws that have completed their stipulated time periods. "Single-window systems should be implemented for sand and mining-related approvals," he emphasized, while also directing officials to address complaints regarding restrictions on sand and gravel movement to the capital region, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of construction materials.
Praise for Coastal Erosion Project and Environmental Initiatives
In a nod to environmental sustainability, CM Naidu praised Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for initiating a project to prevent coastal erosion. He suggested considering the growth of orchards along the coastline as a complementary measure to protect and enhance the coastal ecosystem.
Overall, CM Naidu's directives underscore a comprehensive approach to governance reform, combining legal simplification, technological integration, and sectoral reviews to drive economic growth and improve public service delivery in Andhra Pradesh.
