A case study of drought in Andhra Pradesh: Socio-economic impacts and mitigating strategies

Abstract

The newly formed State of Andhra Pradesh with reduced area and population is the result of bifurcation of comprehensive and combined State of Andhra Pradesh which continued its existence for more than 60 years since 1st November 1956 based on the recommendation of the States’ Reorganisation Commission, Government of India. The first linguistic State of Andhra was formed in April 1953, separating from former Madras State and the present Tamil Nadu. Andhra State and Hyderabad State were united, as both are Telugu speaking States, on 1st November 1956, and named as Andhra Pradesh. The combined state grew on sound lines but bifurcated, irrationally, hurriedly, by passing A.P. Reorganisation Act, 2014, following unsound, whimsical policies without providing for basic capital city, institutions and infrastructure. The new State of Andhra Pradesh came into being from 2 nd June 2014, with governing facility for ten years from Hyderabad city. However, the dynamic and visionary Chief Minister shifted the government to the newly constructed temporary buildings in Amaravathi on 2nd November 2016 with moving all the departments into Secretariat at Amaravathi, leaving skeleton staff at Hyderabad to meet the requirements of legal and Governance activities. Daringly meeting all the difficulties, with minimum support from Central Government, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh made sincere and genuine efforts to overcome the difficulties, converting the crisis into an opportunity to grow and develop on sound lines. With this braveness the government laid solid foundation for “Sunrise Andhra Pradesh”. The reconstruction is planned to promote inclusive growth and balanced development, taking into confidence of and cooperation with all the stakeholders in the development process, of high magnitu