YSR harps on performance as priority in Andhra Pradesh

YSR harps on performance as priority in Andhra PradeshPerformance is the trump card that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is preparing to play before the 5.70 crore electorate to try and emerge as a winner in the coming Assembly elections. "No other state in the country stood match to the welfare and development initiatives of this government," declared Reddy, inaugurating what is possibly the last of the two day conferences of district collectors, during the current five year tenure, in Hyderabad on Monday. He pointed out that the state's gross domestic product touched 9.6 per cent as against the national average of 9 per cent in the last four years. "All our programmes are world records. Be it the ambitious 'Jalayagnam' (irrigation projects), 25-paise interest scheme for women members of self-help groups, reimbursement of fee for economically backward students, Arogya Sri health insurance, free power to the agriculture sector, housing for all and the co-contributory pension scheme for SHG women, all our programmes have been unprecedented," explained Reddy. Even before the meeting did a stock taking of all the government activities in the 23 districts of the state, Reddy made it obvious that he is banking on welfare and development programmes for an electoral comeback and emphasised that an efficient delivery system is the key to its success. In effect, he wanted the state's bureaucracy, at all levels, to tie up the loose ends and make sure of implementing programmes fully to reach beneficiaries and redress any grievances immediately. The chief minister is particularly keen that 'Abhaya Hastham' - the pioneering co - contributory pension scheme for 1.25 crore women members of self help groups - which was made statutory through a legislation made during the final session of the Legislative Assembly that concluded last week, is implemented as quickly as possible. During the two day deliberations, both district collectors and senior officials are to discuss roadblocks and find ways to clear it in implementing the slew of welfare and development measures and even fix fresh time targets if found necessary. Reddy believes firmly that governance which is prompt and efficient in delivery pays back with votes and has made doubly sure that at least one if not more schemes reach every family in the state. He is, therefore, exhorting district administrators to be on their toes and without saying as much suggesting that by maximising their efforts they can help the Congress win the Assembly elections for the second time in a row which the party has not done since 1978 in the state