The Indian Government’s Economic Survey 2016 is out and it contains nuggets of data which are of immense interest to policy makers, economists and the public at large for the wider coverage of trends in broad economy and specific areas of Socio-economic indicators in the country- state-wise. Here are some aspects which highlight the achievements of the two states of AP and Telangana in different areas.
GDP:
According to the Survey, for 2015 , Andhra Pradesh has recorded a Gross Value Added output of Rs.461,257 crores whereas Telangana recorded a GVA of Rs.380,066 crores.
GDP = GVA + taxes on products – subsidies on products
Gross Enrolment Ratio & Literacy :
Telangana scores way higher than AP on gross enrolment ratios. While AP’s Gross Enrolment Ratio is in the range of 88 % while Telangana scores near-to 100 %.
In terms of literacy, the erstwhile undivided state of AP (as given) scores 67 per cent against the national average of 43%. This includes Telangana and current AP.
Tourism:
According to the Survey, AP is one of the top five states in India in terms of domestic tourist visits. With 93.3 million tourist visits, AP lags behind Maharashtra (94.1 million), Karnataka (118.3), UP (182.8 million) and way behind Tamil Nadu (327.6 million). But being in the top 5 keeps it leagues ahead of Telangana.
Food Crops:
AP is one of the top 3 largest producing states in 2014-15 in the following crops: Rice, Maize, Total course cereals, Sunflower and Cotton. Telangana doesn’t figure in any of the food crops in the top three list.
Full Immunisation of Children:
In preventing incidence of infant mortality, AP scores lower than Telangana in Full Immunisation at 65% vs. 68%. Both the states are way below than even Tamil Nadu (69.7%) and West Bengal (84.4%).
Foreign Direct Investment:
From April 2014 to November 2015 Andhra Pradesh has attracted a total of $ 2.07 Billion USD in FDI.
AP is one of the six states in the country which attracted over 70 per cent of the total FDI flows to India during the last 15 years, the top most state being Delhi which cornered almost 30 per cents of the total FDI flows followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
Yet, AP has room for improvement with only 3.73 per cent of the total FDI flows. Telangana data doesn’t figure in this FDI and hence cannot be analyzed.
Energy:
Out of the total 50 Blocks of Shale Oil and Gas awarded to ONGC and Oil India Ltd, the Survey states that AP has got 10 blocks with majority of the blocks (28) going to Gujarat. Commercial production will begin shortly.
Airports:
AP is mentioned as a beneficiary in new airports with the Civil Aviation Ministry giving “site clearance” for setting up three greenfield airports in the state – namely, Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi and Oravakallu.
Lighthouses:
There are also proposals to set up 78 lighthouses in the country as centres of tourism in the first phase of Public Private Partnership of which AP is a beneficiary with a vast coastline. There are identified lighthouses in the state of AP which augurs well for tourism in the state.
Inflation:
Both the states of Telangana and AP recorded higher than average CPI Inflation as they were unable to rein in prices of food grains in the last one year. This is an area that needs redressal. Only Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir recorded higher inflation than AP and Telangana which speaks of the extent of damage created by hoarders and speculators amidst a a failed monsoon last year.
Irrigation:
AP was mentioned as an innovator in irrigation along with Karnataka and Gujarat and Telangana doesn’t find any mention.
Agri-Reforms:
The Survey also mentions AP is one of the few progressive states which is joining the National Agriculture Market (NAM) through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund which will integrate all the mandis in the state to participate in e-auction through regulated wholesale markets in select places. Telangana also leads the country by nominating 44 Mandis for integration under the NAM scheme. Farmers in AP have also shown, according to the survey, higher awareness about the availability of Minimum Support Prices (MSP)s versus rest of the states. This is quite essential to prevent farmers falling into a debt-trap.
Jan Dhan Aadhar Mobile:
AP and Telangana have been highlighted in the Survey as one of the States which achieved nearly 100 per cent of the penetration of households who completed enrolments under the JAM scheme. AP scored the highest 92 per cent customer satisfaction percentage in terms of feedback received about the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme. It also got a pat for successful implementation of measures to plug leakages in Food and Kerosene subsidies.
On the whole, the Economic Survey always has gems of data point that hold lot of promise while keeping a tab on the progress made so far. Good to know both the states of Telangana and AP have got highlighted in respective areas of achievements. There are areas of improvements to both the states like in the number of C-Section deliveries for pregnant women in AP which is over 50 per cent which implies that out-of-pocket medical expenditure is on the rise in the state – which impacts the poor.
