Monday, January 11, 2010

Andhra Pradesh State Profile

Andhra Pradesh State Profile
The State is richly endowed with natural and human resources with competitive socio-economic advantages. It’s geographical spread of 274.40 lakh Hectares accounting for 8.37% of the Country’s area makes it the 4th largest State in the country. A projected population of 8.27 Crores as on 1st March, 2007 accounting for 7.4% of country’s population makes it the 5th most populous State. During 2005-06, the net area sown was 108.39 lakh Hectares, constituting 39.5% of its geographical area. Similarly, the State has about 62 lakh Hectares of forest area, accounting for about 23% of its geographical area. The State also has the 2nd longest coastline of 974 km. The total surface water of entire river systems, across the State is estimated at 2,764 TMC at 75% dependability. It is one of the few states in the country blessed with riverine geography.
Millennial History through Ages back
Andhra Pradesh represents a unique microcosm of Indian union itself – blending its linguistic, ethnic and geographical diversity. Its land has been visited by Gods since time immemorial. Lord Rama with His family is believed to have set foot at Bhadrachalam. Its people since the dawn of history are known for their indomitable courage. Its army had participated in Mahabharata war in lands afar. Subsequently, Buddhism influenced its coastal flanks in Kalinga country. Nagarjuna, a famous Buddhist King was ruling from Amaravathi. Therefore, universal outlook amongst Telugu speaking people is an essential part of its hoary heritage.

From seventh century onwards, when Indo gangetic valley was rocked by waves of foreign penetration, political turmoil and social unrest, great empires rose in deccan sweeping Godavari, Krishna and Tungabhadra valleys. Satavahanas ruled deccan with its borders been washed by waters of Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal. Kakatiyas are immortalized through irrigation and culture and of course, Vijayanagar Empire is remembered as the golden period. The mantle of Indian heritage and its glitter of prosperity was held aloft by the people living on this very land till as late as mid sixteenth century.

After the battle of Tallikota in 1565 and the fall of Golconda in 1682, the Telugu speaking people suffered gradual dismemberment and fell on troubled days. Then came the European conquests. Two centuries of colonial exploitation and misrule followed by successive famines completely crippled the peasantry and reduced the countryside to a state of abject poverty and misery.

It is from this historic perspective that one must judge the awakening of its people as part of larger reawakening of India. The great revolt of 1857 was our first expression of nationalism and our first revolt against foreign rule. This great event threw upon some of the best and bravest of rebels. In the dark period during 19th century, these warriors descended like meteors and embraced heroic death long before the dawn of freedom. Thousands of rebels fell fighting in the very prime of their life, unseen, unheard, unwept and unsung. They sacrificed for freedom and unity then – so that we can live and breathe free now.

Decadal Journey since Independence
Six decades in the life of a free people is an important milestone and naturally calls for both celebration and introspection. Looking back, it is a matter of deep satisfaction that despite initial set backs during its formation during Fifties, A.P. caught up with the national rhythm sooner than later. During Sixties, the edifice of several multipurpose river valley projects, also known as temples of Modern India was rising dramatically. And, from Seventies onwards, the life giving waters of Nagarjunasagar and Pochampadu had reached millions of farmers across A.P. Several major power projects like Srisailam, VTPS and KTPS generated enough energy to electrify its villages. Several national and international institutions were located in and around Hyderabad and Vizag. It surely helped the state to emerge as an important knowledge hub in coming decades.

During Eighties, political change inherent in democratic polity saw Rs. 2/- per kg rice and other welfare measures reaching to all needy families.Similarly, Nineties witnessed the rise of A.P. on ICT map of India. It also witnessed the SHG program of women transforming into a silent, yet, solid movement. The latest political change brought in by the same democratic polity is agrarian focused with farmer and poor at its centre. Mandate now is for a healthy economic growth for broadening opportunity spectrum to include all sections of society. It is also for a balanced sectoral development so as to improve regional harmony. Therefore, the collective wish of the people of A.P. during six decades of their democratic journey as free citizen appear to be simple – balanced sectoral development for optimal regional harmony so as to facilitate the collective journey for all its people into 21st century.

Economy
The broad picture of A.P. economy since independence appears to follow the millennial historic flow indicating rise, decline and eventual restoration. Experts broadly agree that after independence, A . P’s economy like national economy broke from the past growth trend in and around 1980.

During Eighties, the state GSDP growth averaged 6.03% - higher than Nation’s GDP average of 5.68%. Relative slippage commenced during mid Nineties and became too glaring thereafter. Our GSDP growth during 1995-2002 averaged 5.67%, significantly lower than National GDP average of 6.13%. However, due to bold policy initiatives during its mid course in several major areas, the growth trend during 10th Plan in A.P. is looking up and trying to catch up with the National trend.

Therefore, state is confidently targeting for 9% annual growth in its overall economy during Eleventh Plan (2007-12). The sectoral targets are 4.5% for agriculture and livestock, 9.5% for industrial sector and 11% for services sector. However, the centrality of bold state intervention as a necessary precondition for achieving this lofty goal has been understood – and imbibed by all participants in the growth process.

Macro-Economic Aggregates
As per the advance estimates for 2006-07, the Gross State Domestic Product at 1999-2000 prices registered a growth of 7.15%, which is mellowed down by the negative growth in Agriculture yet continuing growth in other sectors on almost the same lines as All India reflecting the multi faceted development in the State. The GSDP is expected to touch Rs.2,02,117 Crores. Per Capita Income at 1999-2000 prices for the year 2006-07 is estimated at Rs.22,521 as against the quick estimate of Rs.21,277 for the year 2005-06 registering a growth of 5.85%. Gross Fixed Capital Formation has shown a growth of 17.07% during 2004-05 and as percentage of GSDP, it works out to 24.18. The Sectoral composition of GSDP in A.P. during 2006-07 is Rs.53,859 Crores (26.6%) primary sector, Rs.43,611 Crores (21.6%) secondary sector and Rs.1,04,647 Crores (51.8%) for tertiary sector (Annexure 2.1 to 2.10).

As per advance estimates for All India, the Gross Domestic Product at 1999-2000 prices stood at Rs.28,44,022 Crores registering a growth of 9.20% over previous year. The share of Primary Sector is (Rs.582678 Crores) 20.5%, Secondary Sector is (Rs.694441 Crores) 24.4% and Tertiary Sector is (Rs.1566903 Crores) 55.1%.

Public Finance
The Revenue Receipts under State's own Taxes during the year 2006-07 (R.E) stood at Rs.25,256 Crores as against Rs.19,611 Crores during 2005-06 registering a growth rate of 28.78%. Sales Tax is the major source of revenue in the State. The revenue realized through Sales Tax during 2006-07 (R.E) is Rs.16,839 Crores as against Rs.12,946 Crores during 2005-06 registering an increase of 30.07%. Out of total expenditure of Rs.56,101 Crores during the year 2006-07 (R.E), capital expenditure is 18.20%.



Prices

Price situation in the State from April to December, 2006 reveal that the average daily retail price of Rice, Red gram dal and Ground nut were varying marginally while that of Red Chillies and Tamarind were increasing significantly. The Consumer Price Indices for different groups (Industrial workers, urban non-manual employees and Agricultural Labor) indicate that the prices of essential commodities have shown significant increase in the State as well as in the Country. Average daily wages of Artisans and Field Laborers have also been increasing.

Public Distribution
41,296 Fair Price Shops are functioning in the State, out of which 6,915 are in urban areas and 34,381 are in rural areas.

Seasonal Conditions
South-west Monsoon accounts for about 70% of the annual rainfall in the state. During South-west Monsoon 2006, the State received an average rainfall of 627 mm., as against the normal of 624 mm. The State received uneven rains interspersed with dry spells and heavy downpours during South-west Monsoon. It was distributed unevenly across the state. Therefore, the rainfall pattern adversely affected the Kharif crops in some of the areas in the state. During North-east Monsoon, the state received 168 mm. as against the normal 224 mm., showing a deficit of 25%.

Agriculture 2006-07 (Kharif)
Owing to uneven distribution of rainfall in the State, Area, Production and Productivity suffered in some of the areas. As per the advance estimates for the year 2006-07, as at the end of December 2006, the area sown under food grains is likely to decrease to 70.75 lakh Hectares in 2006-07 from 71.68 lakh Hectares in 2005-06. Similarly the area under groundnut also decreased to 13.21 lakh Hectares in 2006-07 from 18.76 lakh Hectares in 2005-06. Production of food grains is likely to decrease to 159.97 lakh tonnes in 2006-07 from 169.50 lakh Tones in 2005-06. The production of Rice is expected to decrease to 121.27 lakh tonnes in 2006-07 from 117.04 lakh Tones in 2005-06. Similarly the production of groundnut may decrease to 7.09 lakh Tones in 2006-07 from 13.66 lakh Tones during 2005-06.

Gross Area irrigated in the state increased to 59.96 lakh Hectares in 2005-06 from 49.87 lakh Hectares in 2004-05. Wells account for a major share of 27.96 lakh Hectares (46.6%). (for more on Agriculture, please visit (http://agri.ap.nic.in)

Crop Insurance
National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) provided cover for 10 crops during Rabi 2005-06 and 19 crops during Kharif 2006 including Soybean - newly introduced during Kharif 2006. Bengalgram is introduced during Rabi 2006-07. Government continued the Pilot project “Village as Insurance Unit” for the Kharif 2006. The selected 5 districts are Prakasam, Kadapa, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and Karimnagar and the crops notified are redgram, groundnut, castor and maize. During kharif 2005-06, 19.80 lakh farmers were covered and were benefited with 6.61 lakhs.

Co-operation
2,940 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies are functioning in the State. A.P. State Co-operative Bank provided Rs.2,271.62 Crores as production credit to farmers through the Societies during the year 2004-05. (http://cooperation.ap.nic.in)
Horticulture
State is endowed with varied agro-climatic conditions for growing a variety of horticulture crops like fruits, vegetables, spices, tuber crops, plantation crops and floriculture. An area of about 16.49 lakh Hectares is under various horticulture crops with an estimated production of 143.87 lakh Tones, 1,202 Million coconuts and 88.50 lakh cut flowers. A.P. holds 1st position in production of mango, mosambi, lime, papaya, chillies, turmeric and oil palm, 2nd in tomato and coriander, 3rd in pomegranate, 4th in tapioca, bendi and grapes, 5th in banana, sapota and onion. A.P. stands 1st in area, production and productivity under oil palm. During 2005-06, 1.49 lakh MTs of Horticulture commodities costing Rs.805.36 Crores were exported from the state. Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and Govt. of India have jointly set up 4 agri. export zones in the state.

Livestock and Livestock Products
Veterinary Polyclinics, 281 Veterinary Hospitals, 1,794 Veterinary Dispensaries and 2,916 Rural Livestock Units are attending to animal health needs in the State. According to an integrated sample survey, the total milk production in the State during 2005-06 was 76.24 lakh MTs.


Fisheries

The State ranks 1st in brackish water shrimp and in fresh water prawn production, 2nd in fresh water fish and in total value of fish/prawn production and 5th in marine fish production. Fish and Prawn production during 2005-06 was 8.91 lakh Tones. The State is contributing about Rs.2,500 Crores by way of marine exports, which accounts for 40% of the marine exports from India.

Forestry
The State has 63,814 sq. Kms under forest area constituting 23.2% of the total geographical area in the state. Income accrued from forestry was Rs.94.54 Crores in 2005-06. At present, 8,499 Vana Samrakshana Samithis are functioning, managing an area of 23.94 lakh Hectares. About 6.66 lakh Hectares of degraded forests have been treated. 15.38 lakh people including 7.54 lakh women and 7.84 lakh SC/ST are actively participating in conservation and regeneration of degraded forests.

Kolleru Lake
Kolleru lake, a precious heritage, is the largest fresh water eco systems of International importance. However, it fell victim to human greed. The situation worsened due to decades of neglect. But government brought the political will to implement Supreme Court directive to clear all illegal encroachments. There is commitment to restore and sustain the lake’s pristine glory.

Sericulture

Sericulture, an agro based labor intensive industry is providing gainful employment mostly to rural people, especially women. The state occupies 2nd position in the country in production of silk. The reeling cocoon production during 2005-06 is 46,785 MTs while raw silk production is 5,336 MTs. The employment generation is for 4.88 lakh persons.

Marketing
There are 310 Market Committees and 889 Notified Markets in the State. The income of all the Market Committees during 2005-06 was Rs.202.84 Crores.



Industries and Labor
Since liberalization during August 1991, so far upto 30.11.2006, 2,435 units involving an investment of Rs.29,974 Crores and providing employment to 3,60,067 persons have gone into production. 56 Mega Projects with an investment of Rs.36,061 Crores have also gone into stream.

The Foreign Direct Investment in the State has been increasing steadily due to policy of liberalization initiated by the State Government with the establishment of good infrastructure and competitive power tariff. The State as at the end of August 2006 received 1,060 proposals with a foreign equity of Rs.16,893 Crores, of which, 310 proposals were grounded with a foreign equity of Rs.4,231 Crores.

Since inception (1993-94) 2,44,306 Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana units were grounded by providing financial assistance of Rs.1,371.83 Crores with an employment of 4,71,931 persons till November 2006.

The average Index Number of Industrial Production in the state with the base year 1993-94 showed a growth of 11.1% during 2006-07 (April-November) when compared with that of the corresponding period of previous year.

APIIC
Cyber Towers and Cyber Gateway were providing employment to 5,000 and 7,500 respectively. Cyber Pearl with an investment of Rs.125 Crores was constructed in 6.05 acres.

APIIC Ltd. has taken possession of Government land measuring 1,109 acres in Raviryal village of Ranga Reddy district for establishment of Hardware Park. The Corporation developed a layout in 168.27 acres of land and allotted to Catalytic Software, Millennium Appliances India Ltd., Astra Microwave Products, HCL Infosystems, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Vem Technologies, Aga Khan Foundation and JT Holdings Private Ltd. New companies coming up are Gems & Jewellery Park and Ananth Technologies Private Limited. Proposed investment in Hardware Park is about Rs. 2,000 Crores (including 3 IT Developers) and the proposed built up area will be around 2.00 lakh sq. mts. The employment will be around 2 lakhs.

To meet the growing needs of Pharma industry, Govt. of A.P. approved Development of Pharma City at Parwada, Visakhapatnam district in an extent of 2,200 acres of land and it is taken up on Public Private Partnership basis.

The working results of 29 State Level Public Enterprises (SLPEs) during 2004-05 revealed that the net profit has increased from Rs. 405 Crores in 2003-04 to Rs. 904 Crores in 2004-05. The return on investment has increased from 8.62% in 2003-04 to 9.30% in 2004-05.

The State is the 2nd largest in major mineral production & value of mineral production and 1st in minor mineral production. The State accounts for Rs.974 Crores by way of foreign exchange earnings. As per the index number of industrial production, mining and quarrying during 2006-07 (April-November) registered a negative growth of (-)4.9% when compared to that of corresponding period of last year.

The exports from the State have increased from Rs.18,281 Crores in 2004-05 to Rs.24,408 Crores in 2005-06. The major exports are software, drugs and pharmaceuticals, leather, animal and marine products and agriculture & agro-based products.

The number of Strikes increased whereas, Lockouts decreased during the year 2006 (Till September, 2006). Number of workers involved increased from 12,770 during the year 2005 to 16,086 during 2006 (Up to the end of September 2006). Similarly number of man days lost also increased from 6.84 lakhs in 2005 to 20.19 lakhs during 2006 (Up to the end of September 2006).


Highest ever priority has been accorded for development of Irrigation Infrastructure in backward and drought prone regions of the state. State Government initiated ‘JALAYAGNAM’ with the aim of completing 54 Irrigation Projects taken up with a revised estimate of Rs. 72,406 Crores in a time bound and planned manner. For the early completion of ongoing projects, financial assistance from World Bank, Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC), NABARD, from Govt. of India under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and through A.P. Water Resources Development Corporation is being obtained and works are in progress.

According to the 3rd Minor Irrigation Census which was conducted with 2000-01 as reference year, there were 20,35,697 minor irrigation sources in the state showing an increase of 22.32% when compared with the previous Census. Out of all the schemes, dug-wells contribute 58% of the total minor irrigation schemes followed by shallow tube-wells with 32%.

Power

The installed capacity including central sector as on 30.9.2006 is 11,182 M.W. The energy available for use as on 30.9.2006 is 28,366 M.U. Number of consumers served has increased from 1.73 Crores as at the end of March 2006 to 1.77 Crores as at the end of September 2006. Subsidy provided to Agricultural sector including cross subsidy during 2006-07 is Rs.3,141 Crores. In order to ensure free supply of power to the eligible, Govt. started rationalization of the process in addition to avoid power losses with the use of modern low cost gadgets to be fixed to the pump sets. Power thus saved can help those in the eligible segment. Priority is given for promoting Lift Irrigation in order to reduce exploitation of ground water. However, to meet the ever growing demand for power, the Government have been constructing projects in State sector and encouraging private sector to implement gas based and other projects.

Roads
As on 31-3-2006, there are 15 National Highways in the state covering a length of 4,648 kms. The R & B network is 63,625 kms., of which, state highways constitute 10,217 kms., major district roads constitute 32,222 kms. and rural roads constitute 21,186 kms. In addition, Panchayat Raj has a Road network of 1,21,079 kms.

Transport

Road transport plays a vital role in the economic development of the state. Comprehensive database is being built to provide online services for facilitating effective and fool proofing the process of issue of driving licenses, registrations, permits, taxation etc. Vehicular pollution control monitoring has been stepped up with 475 PUC centers functioning in the State.

(APSRTC) is the largest State Road Transport undertaking in the country, which not only got entry in the Limca Book of Records 2000, but also entered the Guinness World Records on 31st October 1999. The fleet strength of the Corporation decreased from 19,609 as on 31.3.2005 to 19,407 as on 31.3.2006. The Corporation operates over 66.56 lakh kms. per day, carrying 1.28 Crores of passengers daily. The Corporation’s fuel efficiency was 5.27 kms. per liter in 2005-06. The staff ratio per bus was 6.31 during 2005-06. Employee’s productivity increased from 51 kms. in 2004-05 to 53 kms. in 2005-06.

Airports
Hyderabad International Airport at Shamshabad is being developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP). The developer is GMR-MAHB Consortium. The equity participation of Govt. of A.P., Airports Authority of India (AAI) and developer is 13:13:74. The revised project cost is about Rs.2,584 Crores. Work is going in full swing and 55% of the work is completed and the first phase will be completed by the end of 2007. The Airport shall be operational next year.

Ports
The minor ports of Andhra Pradesh handled 18.43 Million Tones of cargo during 2006 and A.P. is the 2nd highest cargo handling state in India. The A.P. State has prepared a perspective development plan for development of ports according to which 173 million tones of cargo by next 15 years it is programmed to handle.

Communications
As on March 2006, there were 16,177 Post Offices in the state, of which 101 Head Offices, 3 Mukhya Dak Ghars, 2,352 Sub-offices, 13,686 Branch offices and 35 Extra Departmental Sub-offices. There were 3,568 Telephone Exchanges and 44.12 lakh telephone connections in the state as at the end of March 2006.

Banking
At the end of September 2006, there were 5,502 Bank Offices. The aggregate deposits as on September 2006 were Rs.1,26,349 Crores and the advances stood at Rs.1,06,562 Crores.

Tourism
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has been developing tourist infrastructure and package development for overall development of Tourism in the state. The Corporation is involved in many areas of development i.e., hotels, resorts, wayside amenities, tourist packages and boats etc. The Corporation has 43 accommodation and catering units. There are 800 hotel rooms with bed strength of 1,762.

Information Technology
Govt. of A.P. aspires to transform the state into a knowledge society and make available the benefits of Information Technology to all citizens, especially those in rural areas. A.P. ranks 4th at National level with exports of Rs.12,521 Crores in 2005-06, recording 51% growth over previous year. The exports are slated to go up to Rs. 19000 Crores during the current year – registering an unprecedented growth of 50% for successive years. Jawahar Knowledge Centers (JKC), a forward step in the direction of Human Resource promotion initiative of the Government. At present there are 70 Engineering JKCs and 26 Degree JKCs with 224 participating Campus Placement Mission (CPM) registered colleges in the state. Govt. launched RAJiv Internet Village Programme to bring Govt. Services/benefits closer to the people living in rural areas. At present 513 Centers are operating in the state.

Population
The decadal growth rate during 1991-2001 is 14.59%, which is lower than All India decadal growth rate of 21.53%. Therefore, the share of A.P. population has come down from 7.9% in 1991 to 7.4% in 2001. The density of the State is 277 persons per square kilometer as against 313 in the country. For the first time, the sex ratio in the State has increased and it stood at 978 as against 933 for All India. Population of SCs and STs works out to 16.19% and 6.59% respectively.

Education
The literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh during 2001 was 60.47% as against the literacy rate of 64.84% in All India.

Govt. of Andhra Pradesh intends to achieve the goal of universalization of Elementary Education by recognizing Education as a potential instrument for Human Development. The primary goal of the state is to increase steadily the overall literacy levels.

During the year 2005-06, under the Elementary Education sector there were 62,159 Primary Schools and 17,290 Upper Primary Schools. Under Secondary Education, there were 15,437 High Schools and 98 Higher Secondary Schools. The total enrolment as on 30.9.2005 in the state was 135.12 lakhs and there were 4,19,507 teachers in all types of schools. The Dropout rate in the Primary stage, Upper Primary stage and in Secondary schools is 24.73, 51.30 and 63.67 respectively. The Teacher Pupil Ratios in the Primary, Upper Primary and Secondary Schools worked out to 1:28, 1:25 and 1:30 respectively. The Percentage of pass in S.S.C. Examinations has increased from 72.41 in 2004-05 to 73.16 in 2005-06.

There are 3,813 Junior Colleges under different managements. Vocational courses are offered in 814 Junior Colleges. The Percentage of pass of regular candidates in Intermediate Examinations in March 2006 is 57.33%.

There are 178 Govt. Degree Colleges and 179 Aided Degree Colleges in the state with strength of 4,23,664.

There are 282 Engineering Colleges with an intake of 98,475, 270 MCA Colleges with an intake of 15,215 and 206 MBA Colleges with an intake of 12,415. On-line decentralized admissions for EAMCET, ECET-FDH and CEEP were successfully conducted at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Tirupati, Warangal and Kadapa during 2006-07.

Family Welfare
Birth rate, Death rate and Infant Mortality Rate for the year 2004 in the case of State are 19.0, 7.0 and 59 respectively as against 24.1, 7.5 and 58 for All India. Expected life at Birth, (2006-11) for Male and Female in the case of State are 63.9 and 66.2 as against 65.6 and 67.2 for All India.

Govt. of A.P. has been making concerted efforts to provide universal access to comprehensive health and family welfare services of acceptable standards of quality. Family Welfare services are being rendered through 1,570 PHCs, 12,522 Sub-centers, 131 Urban Family Welfare Centers and 82 Post Partam Units in the state. 520 PHCs in backward areas have been designated as 24-hours Mother and Child Health Centres to provide normal delivery services. Reproductive and Child Health-II Project is being implemented focusing on generating demand for preventive health care services.

A.P. Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (APVVP)
There are 228 hospitals in the state, of which, 19 are District Hospitals with 4,900 beds, 57 Area Hospitals with 5,900 beds, 117 Community Health Centres with 4,600 beds, 10 Specialty Hospitals with 824 beds and 25 Dispensaries under the control of APVVP. APVVP hospitals are providing Out patient, In patient services, Diagnostic services and Laboratory services. These hospitals along with Primary Health Centers act as a platform for implementation of various national health programs like Malaria, Tuberculosis, Family welfare, AIDS, etc.

Health
To promote awareness on Goitre and Iodine Deficiency Disorders and their prevention among people, National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme, a 100% Central Sponsored Scheme is being implemented in the state. Under Diabetic Care and Control Programme, Awareness Campaigns and Screening Camps are being conducted at PHC/ district level. During the year 2005-06, 17.77 lakh School Children were treated under Telugu Chiranjeevulu Sukheebhava Pathakam.

AIDS Control
For the first time in the country HIV/AIDs Coordination Committee has been set up with Hon’ble Chief Minister as the Chairman to plan and coordinate efforts of all the Departments concerned involving Chief Secretary, DGP, Secretaries of 16 Departments, Representatives of positive network, Donor agencies and prominent NGOs. A similar Steering Committee has been formed with Chief Secretary as the Chairman to monitor the implementation of the plans and to ensure interdepartmental coordination. A District Program Management Team is being placed at the district headquarters of the 10 most high burden districts to provide necessary techno-managerial support to the Additional District Medical & Health Officers. Ultimately serious and sincere efforts are being made to make the interventions a people’s program through reduction of stigma & discrimination to reverse the trend of new cases in one year.

Welfare
Women Development and Child Welfare

Supplementary Nutrition, Immunization, Pre-school Education, Health checkups etc. are provided through Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a 100% Central Sponsored Scheme. During 2005-06, 61.09 lakh women and 73.51 lakh children were covered under the scheme. Girl-Child Protection Scheme to eliminate prejudice against the girl child is being implemented.

Disabled Welfare
At present, 40 Hostels and 3 Homes are functioning in the State with a sanctioned strength of 4,080 boarders/inmates. 11 Residential Schools are functioning in the State with a sanctioned strength of 1,850 students. Economic Rehabilitation and Development scheme is being implemented by sanctioning 20% of the outlay as margin money and the remaining 80% is being arranged through Nationalized Banks to enable the Disabled person to start self employment scheme to make a living. Multi-purpose identity cards are issued to the Disabled persons to avail all the benefits.

For BCs, there are 1,429 Govt. BC Hostels including 14 Hostels for Denotified and Nomadic Tribes. A total strength of 1.73 lakh students was admitted into the BC Hostels during 2006-07. There are 30 BC Residential Schools with strength of 12,060 students. The percentage of pass in 10th class in Residential Schools and Hostels in 2006 was 99.60 and 77.75 respectively. Post-matric Scholarships were sanctioned to 4,23,506 BC students during 2005-06. A.P. Backward Classes Co-operative Finance Corporation Ltd. is implementing Margin Money Programme and Rajiv Abhyudaya Yojana in the state.

For SCs, there are 2,356 Hostels with strength of 2.59 lakhs and 79 Ananda Nilayams with strength of 6,655. 296 Social Welfare Residential Schools are functioning with strength of 1.38 lakhs and 129 SC College Hostels with strength of 18,121. In March 2006 SSC Examinations, the percentage of pass among the hostellers was 76.24 as against the State’s average of 73.16. A.P. Study Circle provides coaching for Civil Services Examinations of UPSC. Government based on 2001 Census, issued orders enhancing the allocations towards Special Component Plan from 15% to 16.2% of Plan funds of all the Departments from the year 2006-07 onwards. 3,86,885 SC families are provided house sites with expenditure Rs. 46.01 Crores during the year 2006-07 up to October 2006.

For STs, there are 504 Ashram Schools with strength of 1.50 lakhs, 506 Hostels with strength of 0.80 lakh and 4,317 Govt. Primary Schools (TW) with strength of 1.02 lakhs during the year 2006-07. The Department is also maintaining 33 Residential Schools, 38 Upgraded Residential Junior Colleges, 5 Exclusive Residential Junior Colleges, 3 Junior Colleges of Excellence, 3 Schools of Excellence and 41 Primary Residential Schools with strength of 49,736. 69% of students in Hostels, 76% of students in Ashram Schools and 88% of students in Tribal Welfare Residential Schools passed in SSC Examinations 2006. 65% of students in TW Residential Junior Colleges passed in Intermediate Examinations, 2006. Post-metric scholarships were awarded to 1,45,477 students during 2005-06 and 1,40,466 students during 2006-07. A special project is being implemented in ITDA, Paderu, in an extent of 27,000 acres of Coffee and 45,000 acres of Silver Oak Plantation benefiting 60,000 ST families at a cost of Rs. 144.00 Crores. During the year 2005-06, A.P. Scheduled Tribe Co-operative Finance Corporation (TRICOR) provided financial assistance to 1,27,519 ST beneficiaries with an outlay of Rs.90.73 Crores.

A.P. State Minorities Finance Corporation is providing margin money loans and direct loans to the weaker sections of Minorities. The scholarships to the students of minority communities have been increasing exponentially during the last 3 years. During 2004-05 the budgeted amount Rs. 4.0 Crores was enhanced to Rs. 10.0 Crores during 2005-06 and to Rs. 31.0 Crores during the year 2006-07. It is proposed to double this allocation during the current year. The impact of education on girl children in the medium and long term is expected to be quite positive.

Youth Services
A priority self-employment scheme named as Rajiv Yuva Shakthi is being implemented covering all habitations in the state. 61,095 units covering 76,038 youth were grounded with an outlay of Rs. 440.56 Crores during 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 (Upto 20.10.2006). 13,269 youth were trained under Skill Development during 2005-06.

Housing
Under Weaker Sections Housing Program from inception till the end of November 2006, number of houses completed was 62.11 lakhs, comprising of 56.79 lakhs in rural areas and 5.32 lakhs in urban areas. During the year 2006-07 (Up to November, 2006) 2,63,147 houses have been completed comprising of 2,22,234 in rural areas and 40,913 in urban areas.

Urban Water Supply and Sanitation
There are 122 Municipalities and 14 Municipal Corporations in the state. The development and stabilization of water supply and sewerage systems of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad and 12 Municipal Towns of Ranga Reddy district is being looked after by Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB). Public Health Department controls over all Engineering Works in 110 Municipalities and 11 Municipal Corporations. Water Supply is above 70 Liters Per Capita Daily (LPCD) in 74 Towns and below 70 LPCD in 47 Towns.


Rural Development
Watershed Development, Drought Prone Area, Desert Development, Integrated Waste Land Development and Indira Prabha are a few important programs being implemented under Rural Development.

A.P. Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (APREGS), a Central Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented in 13 districts of A.P. Elimination of heavy machinery, minimization of intermediary layers, equal wages to female workers and social audit are some of the novel features of this historic initiative. It is indeed going to transform rural employability, poverty and asset creation in years to come. This scheme will provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household wholly adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Rural Development Department has taken up the responsibility of conducting Social Audit. So far Social Audit process was carried out in more than 2,500 Habitations in Anantapur, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy, Medak, Warangal, Khammam and Kadapa districts. All those willing to do manual work have been covered.

Sampoorna Grameena Rojgar Yojana (SGRY) is being implemented on cost sharing basis between Central and State in the ratio of 75:25. The food grains however will be provided free of cost by Govt. of India. This scheme is to provide additional wage employment in the rural areas, as also food security, alongside creation of durable community, social and economic assets and infrastructure development. Under this scheme, 5 kgs. of food grains will be distributed as part of wages per manday. The scheme is being implemented in 9 districts of the state, which are not covered under APREGS.

Commencing from early 80’s, the process of women empowerment has swept the entire state of Andhra Pradesh in a silent yet dignified manner. This enormous movement has over-powered caste, political and religious boundaries. Today, there are 6 lakh Self Help Groups comprising 9 million members with a corpus of Rs. 3,000 Crores. It has substantially become possible by subsidizing interest and making loans available at 3% rate per annum. Membership strength and quantum of revolving fund in Andhra Pradesh, incidentally is highest in the Country. Government is committed to broaden and deepen the movement further on a sustained basis.

Under Social Assistance Program two schemes, Old Age Pension and Family Benefit Schemes are being implemented.

During the year 2006-07, the rate of pension is increased from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 200/- per month for all the pensions.

Pensions under INDIRAMMA Programme
As a part of the welfare programmes, State Govt. has decided to take up 1/3 of the villages for saturation each year in a period of 3 years under INDIRAMMA Programme starting from 2006-07. Under the programme, most needy and vulnerable persons in the old age, widows, people with disability and weavers will be assisted by way of pensions. A total number of 8,98,891 will be assisted under the programme with an allocation of Rs. 215.73 Crores. 8,86,457 are assisted with an expenditure of Rs. 88.65 Crores during 2006-07 upto September 2006.

National Family Benefit Scheme
During the year 2006-07, Rs. 14.80 Crores is proposed to assist 29,605 families and Rs. 4.11 Crores has been distributed to 8,221 families during 2006-07 upto September 2006.

National Employment Guarantee Scheme
The NREG Act 2005 provides enhancement of livelihood security, giving atleast 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household, whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Panchayats at districts, intermediate and village levels will be the principal authorities for planning and implementation of the scheme.

RSVY
Planning Commission, Govt. of India have initiated Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) during the X Five year plan (2002-07) as a Backward Districts Initiative for the development of backward districts in the state and also to focus on areas under the influence of Left Wing Extremism. Principal objectives of the scheme are to address the problems of low agricultural productivity, unemployment and to fill the critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure. The Planning Commission identified 10 districts in two stages for implementation of RSVY in A.P. Out of these 10 districts, Adilabad, Warangal, Chittoor, Mahabubnagar and Vizianagaram are identified under Backward Districts Initiative and Karimnagar, Khammam, Medak, Nalgonda and Nizamabad identified under Left Wing Extremism. Allocation per district is Rs.45 Crores. The expenditure upto 31.12.2006 is Rs. 144.68 Crores.

Rajiv Palle Bata
Rajeev Palle Bata is a program involving dialogue between the leader and the people. During the process, people get an opportunity to represent their problems directly to their leaders. A total number of 54,523 petitions have been received during Rajeev Palle Bata (both 1st and 2nd rounds put together) and 1,198 assurances have also been made during public interactions. 96% of petitions and 76.5% of assurances have been redressed by January 2007.

Prajapatham
Prajapatham is an interaction amongst public, their elected representatives and a team of public servants to focus on priority issues. The programme was conducted in 2 phases covering all the 26,794 Grampnachayats/Wards in the State. It was a silent yet dignified success.

Rajiv Nagara Bata Program
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh launched the Rajiv Nagara Bata Program (RNBP) on 9.1.2005 with an overarching goal of ensuring and deepening good urban governance in the state enhancing basic services and livelihoods in an equitable manner in all the Urban Local Bodies. The program aims at establishing mass contacts at the gross root level designed with the basic objective of improving municipal governance through downward accountability and transparency and capturing the voices of citizens especially the poor and vulnerable groups. The progamme also aims at effective targeting of different initiatives of the Government and Municipal bodies to ensure equity, better governance and systematic reforms are expected to improve the performance of Urban Local Bodies. Hon’ble Chief Minister so far visited 68 Urban Local Bodies in 21 districts of the State. As on 30-9-2006, out of 750 Assurances costing Rs. 4,001.32 Crores, 361 Assurances were redressed with a cost of Rs. 1,111.51 Crores.

INDIRAMMA
Government has taken up Development of Model Villages and Towns on saturation basis to provide the basic infrastructure along with the welfare measures in an Integrated and Focused manner and to be serviced over a period of three years. This concept of Development of Model Village and Town has been named as INDIRAMMA (Integrated Novel Development In Rural Areas and Model Municipal Areas). The basic objective of this programme is to ensure overall development of the Villages/Municipalities in a transparent manner covering wider areas every year and also to expel the uncertainty among the people regarding selection.

Poverty
The poverty ratio in the rural areas of Andhra Pradesh continues to be less than that of All India, which can be attributed mainly to massive subsidization of rice. In case of urban areas the poverty ratio of A.P. continues to be higher than that of All India.

Employment & Unemployment
compound annual growth of employment in the State is significantly lower when compared with that of All India. Employment Elasticity, which reflects the responsiveness of employment generation to change in Gross Domestic Product, is low in both Andhra Pradesh and All India. Unemployment rate is defined as the number of persons unemployed per 1,000 persons in the labour force. The unemployment rate is higher in rural areas than in urban areas of A.P.
Commission approved an out lay of Rs. 46,614 Crores for X Plan. Whereas the actual allocation worked out to Rs. 69511 Crores, which is 49% in excess of the approved plan out lay. When compared with IX Plan, the allocation during X Plan is more by 232%. Actual Expenditure up to December, 2006 is 78% of the allocation. Plan performance during X Plan has been robust and accelerating like the economy of Andhra Pradesh. The trend is in harmony with the overall national rhythm.

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