Basic Statistics Relating to the Economy of A. P.

Abstract

The period 1950-51 to 1965-66 cover the first three plan periods. During this period systematic development of the economic resources of the State was taken up and the impact of the developmental programmes taken up during these 15 years on various sectors of the economy of Andhra Pradesh is very significant. The Agricultural production in the State as also the State Income at current prices was doubled during this period and the per-capita consumption of electricity increased by 10 times. The production of Cement, Sugar and Paper increased by about 4 to 6 times while Cotton yarn produced, increased by three times. The working capital of Co-operative Societies increased by ten times and the number of Motor Vehicles on road increased by 9 times during this period. During the period 1955-56 to 1964-65, the number of Posts and Telegraphs in Andhra Pradesh were doubled. The following is a brief account of the progress recorded during the period 1950-51 to 1965-66 under various sectors of the economy. Andhra Pradesh being predominantly agricultural in character, much stress has been laid on the improvement of agricultural production in various Plans and as a result there has been a significant progress in various spheres of agriculture. Thus, area irrigated amounting to 25.22 lakh hectares in 1952-53 has increased to 32.00 lakh hectares by 1955-56 to 34.72 lakh hectares by 1960-61 and to 38.50 lakh hectares by 1964-65, the penultimate year of the Third Plan. The net area sown has increased from 98.19 lakh hectares in 1950-51 to 112.90 lakh hectares by 1955-56 and to 114.84 lakh hectares in 1964-65. The area irrigated and the net area sown have, however, declined during the last year of the Third Plan in 1965-66 due to severe drought conditions. Thus, the net area sown which amounted 114.84 lakh hectares during 1964-65 has come down to 109.94 lakh hectares and the net area irrigated has decreased from 38.50 lakh hectares to 35.33 lakh hectares.