Amaravati, Aug 15 (HS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday called upon people to work towards making India and Andhra Pradesh number one by 2047, saying the next 20 years should be dedicated to building a stronger nation and state.

Addressing the Independence Day celebrations at the Parade Ground in Nelapadu village in Amaravati, Naidu said India had attained freedom 80 years ago and the focus should now be on building a stronger future.

He said the goal of Viksit Bharat-2047 was closely linked with the state's SwarnaAndhra vision. A strong Andhra Pradesh was necessary for a developed India, while a strong country was essential for building a prosperous Andhra Pradesh, he said.

Naidu said decentralised development was the government's policy and efforts were being made to develop all regions and empower all sections of society.

He said the Centre was extending support to Andhra Pradesh on several fronts, including the Polavaram project, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Visakhapatnam Railway Zone.

The Chief Minister said the state's growth rate had risen to 11.3 per cent after his government restored various systems. He alleged that the previous YSRCP government had left nearly Rs 10 lakh crore in debt, which had become a burden on the state.

The coalition government had spent Rs 1.56 lakh crore on welfare and Rs 1.34 lakh crore on development during its 26 months in office, Naidu said.

Highlighting employment initiatives, he said a job calendar covering more than 10,000 posts had been released this year. Investment agreements worth Rs 24 lakh crore had been signed, with the potential to generate 11 lakh jobs, while investments worth Rs 14 lakh crore had already been grounded, he said.

Naidu said the government had set a target of providing houses to all eligible beneficiaries by 2029. Housing documents were also being issued to eligible people who had been residing on government land for a long period, he said.

Earlier, Naidu hoisted the national flag at Amaravati and reviewed the parade organised as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

In a message on the occasion, he extended greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telugu people across the world. He said the country's freedom was the result of the sacrifices and struggles of countless people and called upon citizens to contribute towards building a better future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar