HON’BLE CHIEF MINISTER OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy
Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR, is an astute politician and a charismatic mass leader who has carved for himself a niche in state politics by his exemplary devotion and dedication to the uplift of the downtrodden and neglected segments of the society. Born on July 8, 1949, in Pulivendula in the backward Rayalaseema region, YSR has always struggled to secure the rights of the poor and the underprivileged.
Serving the Society:
YSR evinced keen interest in politics from his student days. After completing his MBBS, he served as Medical Officer at Jammalamadugu Mission Hospital for a brief period. In 1973, he established a 70-bed hospital named after his father at Pulivendula. His family established one polytechnic college and one-degree college, which were handed over to the well known educational Institution later. YSR’s business acumen, entrepreneurial skills, and above all his transparency brought him laurels in the arena.
Entering Political Arena:
Groomed by a family deeply involved in public service, YSR entered active politics in 1978 and contested elections, four times to enter the State Legislative Assembly and an equal number of times to enter the Lower House of Parliament.
On the side of the People:
During his 25-year long political career, YSR has served the people in various capacities, both in government as well as in the party. He was President of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) twice. During 1980-83 he was a minister holding the portfolios of Rural Development, Medical & Health and Education etc. From 1900 to 2004 he was the Leader of Opposition in the eleventh assembly of the state. During this period he forced the government to retrace several anti-people steps. YSR has been instrumental in orchestrating several mass struggles, while highlighting many issues facing peasants, weavers, dalits and women. His relentless fight for clearance of pending irrigation projects, particularly in the backward region of Rayalaseema, has earned him a special place in the hearts of millions of farmers. His unremitting struggle against certain anti-people measures that were sought-t-be introduced in the name of ‘reforms’, including frequent increases in power tariff and indiscriminate privatization of public sector units, exalted him far above the street-smart politicians.
Paadayaatra:
During mid summer of 2003, he led an unprecedented 1400Km Paadayaatra (walk) covering all backward areas in the state to understand the ground realities of living conditions of the common man.
Now, as Chief Minister, the crowning glory in his studded political career, he can proudly claim to the quintessence of a politician who, with vision focused on the coming generations as well, has earned the title of statesman. The lure of power and pelf could not divert him, when the party was briefly out of power, from his mission to hold the reins of power as a trusted lieutenant of the party and, more importantly, as a darling of the masses.
He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 14.05.2004.
Vision:
To see all regions of the state equally develop in all the sectors that ensure better living standards of the present and coming generations by creating infrastructure, providing employment opportunities, empowering marginalized sections and making the state IT Hub of the world and the Rice bowl of India.
Shaping up AP as IT Hotspot:
- The state government is developing Tier-2 cities as IT Clusters besides the capital Hyderabad, and creating infrastructure for the industry to spread IT industry across the state.
- It is providing connectivity through air with nine new airports, by road with thousands of Km of new roads, by sea with three new ports and urban infrastructure like MRTS and Outer Ring Road.
- The state is embarked on developing Human Resources through Institutions of Excellence like BITS, ITT, New Universities, Jawahar Knowledge Centers, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research to meet the requirement of the industry.
- Government of AP is setting up Public Schools with public-private partnership to meet the growing needs of the industry by bridging the urban-rural divide.
- <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Steps are taken by the government to double the power production capacity to ensure incessant supply for both industrial and domestic needs.
Water to Every Field:
- AP is concentration on providing irrigation facilities as more than 65% people of the state is dependent on agriculture.
- Only 40% of the available land is under assured irrigation now.
- State aimed to double it by spending over $20 billion on various irrigation projects on priority basis.
Health Care:
- The state government initiated multi pronged strategy for HIV/AIDS Control.
- <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Arogya Sree- A health insurance scheme to facilitate major surgeries in heart diseases, cancer and kidney etc. for the poor through public-private partnership is already under way.
Accelerated Growth of Industry:
- IT exports registered a growth of 51% as against the national average of 36%.
- Steel production is doubled.
- Cement production is doubled.
- Paper production is doubled.
- Textiles and Garments is doubled.
- Footwear, Gems and Jewelry industries are coming up.
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh 