Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Tuesday urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to provide financial support to the state under the Centre’s Purvodaya Scheme. Naidu stated that the initiative would be beneficial in uplifting backward regions such as North Andhra and Rayalaseema, which have historically lagged in terms of industrial and economic development.
The Chief Minister met the Union minister at New Delhi and pointed out that the Purvodaya Scheme, initiated by the Centre for the holistic development of eastern states, has already identified Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh as key beneficiaries. The scheme primarily aims to unlock the economic potential of eastern regions by promoting agriculture, industry, and infrastructure growth, thereby bridging regional disparities and boosting inclusive development.
Emphasising the need for balanced growth, Naidu explained that the state government has prepared comprehensive plans to utilise the scheme’s funds effectively for regional progress. He said that the state government was aiming to promote horticulture in Rayalaseema, expand coffee plantations, cashew, and coconut farms in North Andhra. He also sought funds for the scheme to strengthen aquaculture activities in Coastal Andhra, badly hurt by the US tariff war.
Targeted funding for these projects under Purvodaya would not only improve productivity but also generate employment and enhance income levels in rural areas, said the Chief Minister.
Apart from his meeting with the Finance Minister, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister is also scheduled to participate in the CII’s curtain-raiser partnership summit and invite investors to participate in the CII grand summit slated to be held in November in Visakhapatnam.