HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy unveiled a multi-pronged strategy to achieve all-round development and make Andhra Pradesh a model State. The strategy includes assigning top priority to three sectors- rural development with emphasis on irrigation and agriculture, IT and welfare. It aims at ending left wing extremism and increasing Gross State Domestic Product.

Delivering the 60th Independence-Day message after unfurling the tricolour at the ceremonial parade here on Tuesday, Dr. Reddy said whenever he sighted the flag, he was inspired to make any number of sacrifices and go ahead.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said: "Development is a situation where local-self government is efficient, every individual is equal and happy and where none is inferior to another."

Earlier, he took the salute at an impressive march-past by 23 contingents of the police and students. Among those present were the Chief Minister's family members and those of his political adviser K. V. P. Ramachandra Rao, Assembly Speaker K. R. Suresh Reddy, Ministers and other politicians. K. Keshav Rao, C. Venkat Reddy and N. Indrasen Reddy represented the Congress, the CPI and the BJP respectively.

Dr. Reddy listed out achievements topping it with the claim that the GSDP had now gone up by 8.34 per cent. The State emerged as pioneer in implementation of Employment Guarantee Scheme. Broadband connectivity would be provided to all villages by July next.

He announced reservation for SCs/STs in Jawahar Knowledge Centres and fixed a one-month deadline for completing distribution of ration-cards. On land acquisition for projects like ORR and Metro rail taken up for Hyderabad, he said a part of the developed land would be offered to the displaced. He said he was examining steps to protect the five per cent quota provided to Muslims.

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