Amaravati, 10 September (H.S.): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed Revenue officials to develop a structured Land Bank Portal containing details of available government lands across the State.

Addressing the 8th District Collectors’ Conference on Thursday, Naidu asked officials to identify government lands lying unused for years and upload their details on a common portal. He said a comprehensive picture of government land availability would emerge after completion of the ongoing resurvey.

The Chief Minister directed officials to record details of government lands department-wise and district-wise and make the portal useful for allocating land whenever required by any government department.

Naidu said shortage of land should not become an obstacle to development and called for advance identification of land required for industrial and other development projects. He said officials should not wait for a project to be sanctioned before beginning the search for suitable land.

He directed all departments and District Collectors to prepare calendars and work within specified deadlines, stressing that the Collectors’ Conference should focus on tangible outcomes rather than discussions alone.

The Chief Minister asked Collectors to monitor development programmes of all departments in their respective districts and resolve issues requiring inter-departmental coordination. He urged them to focus on finding solutions and avoid passing responsibility to others.

Naidu said he plans his own programmes three months in advance, with meetings of the State Investment Promotion Board held every month, Cabinet meetings every fortnight and Collectors’ Conferences every three months. He also spends four days every month in the field interacting with people, he said, adding that officials should similarly plan their schedules effectively.

He directed officials to issue orders extending benefits available to Scheduled Castes to the Budaga Jangam community, while the issue of granting SC status to the community remains pending.

Naidu also asked officials to link skill-development programmes with industries and complete curriculum, equipment and other requirements within 90 days. He directed officials to expedite construction of already sanctioned houses and implement additional housing in phases, noting that another 1.5 lakh houses may be sanctioned for the State.

In view of prevailing El Niño conditions, he directed officials to speed up emergency drinking water works, prepare 20 crore seeds and saplings ahead of the plantation season and promote less water-intensive varieties. He also stressed water conservation and pre-monsoon dry sowing.

The Chief Minister further directed officials to take up with the Union Government the proposal for establishing 905 smart kitchens across the State.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar