CM Chandrababu Naidu Backs PM Modi’s Economic Appeal, Calls for National Mission on Self-Reliance and Conservation

Amaravati, May 2026 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday strongly endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide appeal to conserve foreign exchange reserves and urged citizens, industry leaders, and institutions to treat it as a collective national mission.

Addressing the CII Annual Business Summit in Delhi, CM Naidu said the current geopolitical and economic environment has made it imperative for India to intensify efforts towards self-reliance, resource optimisation, and sustainable consumption practices.

Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s recent appeal made in Hyderabad, he reiterated several key recommendations aimed at strengthening India’s economic resilience. These include postponing non-essential gold purchases, promoting energy conservation, increasing the use of public transport, adopting work-from-home models where feasible, reducing chemical fertiliser usage, and encouraging a shift towards natural farming practices.

Naidu said these measures are not merely policy suggestions but essential responses to global challenges, especially those arising from ongoing international conflicts that have disrupted fuel and energy markets worldwide. He pointed out that even countries not directly involved in conflicts are facing the consequences through rising prices of LPG, petrol, and diesel.

Highlighting the role of technology in modern work culture, the Chief Minister said work-from-home has now become a practical and efficient alternative in several sectors. He noted that digital infrastructure has enabled employees to maintain productivity from any location, thereby also contributing to reduced fuel consumption and urban congestion.

In the agriculture sector, he strongly advocated reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and promoting natural farming methods. According to him, such a shift would not only protect soil health and improve public well-being but also significantly reduce import dependency, thereby strengthening India’s foreign exchange position.

Addressing industrialists and business leaders at the summit, CM Naidu urged them to view these initiatives as a national mission rather than isolated government directives. He called upon the corporate sector to actively participate in building a self-reliant and resource-efficient economy.

He expressed confidence that every global crisis brings new opportunities, and said India is well-positioned to emerge stronger after overcoming current challenges. According to him, the country has the potential to become “unstoppable” on the global economic stage through innovation, discipline, and collective effort.

Recalling his earlier tenure as Chief Minister in the late 1990s, Naidu said he had introduced major reforms in the power sector between 1998 and 1999, which significantly improved electricity generation and distribution in Andhra Pradesh. However, he noted that these reforms were politically challenging and contributed to his electoral defeat in 2004, as the public at that time had not fully accepted the changes.

Reiterating the importance of energy security, he urged industries and institutions to move towards self-generation of power. He suggested that factories, agricultural pump sets, commercial establishments, and even households should explore renewable and captive power generation to reduce dependence on external energy sources.

He concluded by stressing that collective responsibility, disciplined consumption, and strategic reforms are essential for building a stronger, self-reliant India.