Spend responsibly, follow national discipline: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu calls for austerity amid West Asia Crisis

Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday backed the austerity measures suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and appealed to people to spend responsibly and follow national discipline.He warned that the economic impact of the West Asia crisis could place severe pressure on India’s fuel imports, foreign exchange reserves and overall financial stability. Naidu announced that the Andhra Pradesh govt will unveil its own action plan within two days to implement similar measures across departments and public institutions.Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation for Bollineni Institute of Skill, Education and Research (Biser-Kims Medical College and University) in capital city Amaravati on Wednesday, the CM said every citizen should adopt a “my nation, my responsibility” mindset, and be prepared to endure temporary inconvenience for the country’s larger economic interests.

He stressed that reducing avoidable expenditure and conserving resources have become a national necessity in the prevailing global situation.Naidu said fuel conservation should become a mass movement as excessive petrol and diesel consumption directly increases pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Encouraging behavioural change, he said work-from-home has emerged as a practical and efficient alternative, and should be promoted wherever possible to reduce commuting and fuel usage.

He added that the state govt was also examining similar practices within its departments.Public representatives and officials, he said, should lead by example by reducing the size of vehicle convoys, limiting unnecessary movement and rationalising security arrangements wherever feasible. He also advised people to avoid non-essential foreign travel and, instead, encourage domestic tourism.Stating that India and Andhra Pradesh possess world-class tourist destinations, Naidu said spending within the country would strengthen the domestic economy and create employment opportunities.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s suggestion on gold purchases, the CM said excessive gold imports place heavy pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and people should exercise restraint during economically sensitive periods.Naidu said Amaravati is being developed not merely as an administrative capital, but as a global hub for education, healthcare, technology and employment generation. He said institutions such as KIMS hospital and Biser Skill University will transform the capital region into a major centre for medical services, skill development and innovation.The CM further said

Visakhapatnam

is being promoted as another world-class global city parallel to Amaravati with a focus on information technology, port-led development, tourism, fintech, data centres, and international investments. He said the govt’s objective was to create multiple economic growth engines across the state rather than concentrating development in one region alone.Naidu further said Rayalaseema will be transformed into “Ratnala Seema” through large-scale industrialisation and infrastructure expansion. He said the region will witness major investments in manufacturing, renewable energy, electronics, automobile components, food processing, and mineral-based industries.