Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addresses the District Collectors’ Conference in Vijayawada on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday (May 7, 2026) directed the District Collectors to encourage the MSME sector, which generates the most employment, and to resolve issues faced by companies, particularly those related to land allotment, without delay.
Reviewing the performance of various departments and the implementation of programmes at the Collectors’ Conference on Thursday (May 7, 2026), Mr. Naidu ordered that APIIC lands falling under Section 22A be removed from the prohibited list, and asked the Registration Department to clear such lands through the Inspector-Generals concerned.
He said products from various districts should grow into pan-India and global brands, on the lines of Araku Coffee.
Mr. Naidu said India was spending large amounts on imported products used in daily life, and that improving the quality and branding of Andhra Pradesh products would help retain that income within the State economy.
On emerging technology sectors, Mr. Naidu said the arrival of Google Cloud AI Hub had drawn Carrier to the State, and that the company would supply bulk chillers needed for data centres and quantum computing facilities.
He said a Quantum Reference Facility had been set up in Amaravati, and that once the Quantum Computing Centre became operational, an ecosystem for manufacturing the required equipment would also emerge.
The Chief Minister suggested that rooftop solar systems and the PM Kusum scheme be integrated to promote solar power generation in homes and government offices. He said solar panels should be installed on all government buildings, schools and colleges so that government offices eventually run without spending much on electricity.
He said installing solar systems for 22 lakh pump sets under the PM Kusum scheme would yield substantial benefits.
Mr. Naidu said the District Collectors would be appointed mentors for implementing best practices in governance. On logistics, he said cutting transport costs was key to faster economic growth, and noted that rail transport cost about ₹1.83 per km against ₹3.40 per km by road.
He told officials that 64 National Highway projects worth over ₹1 lakh crore were coming to the State, and 624 railway projects worth ₹64,000 crore were in progress.
On the possible impact of El Niño, Mr. Naidu cautioned that rainfall might be below normal and asked the Collectors to take precautions in advance. He directed officials to prepare water management plans suitable for rainfed crops, dryland farming and horticulture crops, and to ensure adequate fodder supply for livestock. He also asked the Forest Department to act on increasing green cover.
Published – May 08, 2026 12:09 pm IST
