Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed officials to expedite the purchase of paddy across the state ahead of 'Makar Sankranti' festival.

Naidu, who held a review meeting on paddy purchase, observed that welfare of farmers is the key for the state's all-round development.

He also wished people for the harvest festival, which will be celebrated later this week, a government release said.

"Sankranti should herald happiness for all," the release quoted the chief minister as saying. Naidu was informed that 19,10,960 tonne of paddy has been purchased so far this year against 14,82,568 tonne purchased till January 11 last year.

Civil Supplies Department and millers have so far purchased paddy totalling 9,80,402 tonne and 9,30,558 tonne, respectively, the release said.

According to the release, coastal districts of East and West Godavari -- the major paddy production centres in the state -- have purchased 9,81,445 tonne and 5,70,055 tonne of paddy, respectively.

The chief minister told officials to ensure that money towards purchase get deposited in the bank accounts of farmers.

"The CM directed the Chief Secretary I Y R Krishna Rao to review government programmes like purchase of paddy, farmers' debt redemption scheme, largescale planting of saplings, disbursement of social security pensions, sale of sand and 'Chandranna Sankranti Kanuka' (supply of essential food items like dal, rice and ghee as a Sankranti gift to the poor through PDS) on a daily basis," according to the release.

Naidu said on the occasion that 'Sankranti Kanuka' has evoked a positive response from people. He also asked officials to take up planting of 50 crore saplings on a "war-footing."

The chief minister said the administration should either denotify forest land or acquire land near Eluru, whichever is convenient, for construction of the proposed National Institute of Technology in West Godavari district.