Continued from P1

Naidu said a comprehensive picture of government land availability would emerge upon completion of the ongoing resurvey. Land scarcity, he stressed, should not become an obstacle to development. Officials should identify and reserve land requirements for industrial and other projects in advance rather than start searching only after projects are sanctioned.

The Chief Minister asked departments and collectors to prepare calendars with clear deadlines and utilise the Collectors’ Conference for achieving measurable outcomes. Collectors, he said, should monitor all departmental development programmes in their districts, resolve inter-departmental issues, and take speedy decisions, instead of merely passing responsibility to others. Citing his own case as an example, Naidu said he plans his own schedule three months ahead, holding SIPB meetings every month, Cabinet meetings every fortnight, and Collectors’ Conferences every three months, besides spending four days a month in the field interacting with people. He advised Collectors to similarly plan their schedules and take into account the priorities of the Union government. Referring to the social welfare front, the Chief Minister directed officials to immediately issue orders extending benefits available to Scheduled Castes to the Budaga Jangam community, pending the decision on their SC status. He also directed officials to link skill-development programmes with industries and complete curriculum, equipment, and other requirements within 90 days. Reviewing housing schemes, Chandrababu called for speedy completion of already sanctioned houses and phased implementation of additional houses. He said Andhra Pradesh could receive sanction for another 1.5 lakh houses shortly. In view of prevailing El Nino conditions, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite emergency drinking water works across the state. He asked departments to also prepare in advance for the plantation season to achieve the target of 50 per cent green cover, with 20 crore seeds and saplings to be kept ready. Officials were asked to promote less water-intensive varieties, prioritise water conservation, and encourage pre-monsoon dry sowing. The Chief Minister further directed officials to take up with the Union government the matter relating to the establishment of 905 smart kitchens across Andhra Pradesh.