Government's vision is to eliminate socio-economic disparities: ESL Narasimhan

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan today said the state government's vision is to eliminate poverty and reduce socio-economic disparities for a healthy, technologically advanced and knowledgeable society.

"My government's guiding principle is to strive till the last man in the last mile of development paradigm is healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous," the Governor said on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day celebrations here.

All three sectors of the economy - agriculture, industry and services - contributed to the overall growth of the state during the first two quarters of this fiscal resulting in an impressive growth of 6.94 per cent, he said.

The debt redemption for farmers and DWACRA groups, five-time hike in welfare pensions, NTR Sujala Sravanthi drinking water scheme and enhancement of government employees' retirement age from 58 to 60 are the major promises fulfilled by the government, he said.

The vision of the AP government is to make the state as number 3 in the country by 2022 and number 1 by 2029 and finally by 2050 as one of the best destinations in the world, Narasimhan said.

The recently launched 'smart village and smart ward' for comprehensive development of the villages with people's participation has received good response from industrialists and NRIs, he said.

The Governor, after unfurling the national flag, received the Guard of Honour from police. He later viewed the tableaux by nine government departments and the march past by military, CRPF, state special police, NCC and students from government residential colleges.

He presented the best contingent award to the students of residential schools and 16th AP Special Police Battalion.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Cabinet colleagues, MPs, MLAs and senior officers from the state government participated in the celebrations.

In Visakhapatnam, District Collector N Yuvarau hosted the national flag at police parade grounds.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour presented by police and others, he spoke about the various welfare schemes launched by the government and the district administration.

A ceremonial parade was also held at the Eastern Naval Command parade ground. Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, took the salute.