Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and 16th Finance Commission Chairman Aravind Panagariya going around a photo exhibition at the Secretariat at Velagapudi on Wednesday. Photo: Special Arrangement
The Chairman and members of the 16th Finance Commission appreciated the Andhra Pradesh government’s WhatsApp governance initiative. The 16th Finance Commission team visited the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat at Velagapudi on Wednesday.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu explained the WhatsApp governance model to the delegation. He highlighted that the government was working towards a system where citizens could access public services via WhatsApp, eliminating the need to visit the offices.
“The goal is to provide up to 1,000 services through WhatsApp,” Mr. Naidu said.
Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the Finance Commission, noted that it was impressive for a Chief Minister to give a detailed presentation on the financial matters and the depth of analysis on growth indicators and efforts to seek Central assistance.
Mr. Panagariya asked Mr. Naidu whether this innovative model had been brought to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attention. Mr. Naidu replied that he had planned to explain the project during his meeting with the Prime Minister scheduled for the next month.
Finance Commission member Anne George Mathew recalled her visit to Hyderabad 30 years ago, observing the city’s remarkable development since then, which she credited to Mr. Naidu’s vision.
She expressed confidence that Amaravati would be developed on similar standards.
Mr. Naidu recalled how Mr. Panagariya had recommended transferring the Polavaram Project to the State during his tenure in the NITI Aayog. “We aim to complete the Polavaram project before the upcoming Pushkarams,” Mr. Naidu said.
Mr. Naidu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, under which India is evolving into a developed nation. “From being mocked for slow growth, India is now the 5th largest economy and is set to become the 3rd largest by 2028. By 2047, we will be the world’s largest economy,” he said.
Published – April 17, 2025 05:23 am IST
