Lt. General Chengapa was addressing the Civil Military Liaison Conference-2010 held at Jubilee here today.

Lt. General Chengapa said "The outstanding achievements of the State are attributable in great measure to the dynamism and foresight of successive Chief Ministers in the recent past and the team of highly competent and dedicated officials heading various departments of the State Government.  The political acumen, maturity and outstanding financial management of the present Chief Minister, Sri K.Rosaiah is well known.  We deeply appreciate his positive response to issues concerning the armed forces in the State during my earlier interactions with him over the last one year.

Here is the full text of Lt. Chengapa's speech:

"It is our honour and a privilege to be here this morning heading the team of officers representing the three services at the Civil Military Liaison Conference 2010.  We are grateful to the Chief Minister for finding time amidst his busy schedule and chairing this Conference.

Andhra Pradesh is one of the most progressive states in our country and has achieved outstanding results in the field of agricultural production, industrial development and information technology.  Its success in neutralizing left wing extremism is cited as a model for emulation by other states.  The outstanding achievements of the State are attributable in great measure to the dynamism and foresight of successive Chief Ministers in the recent past and the team of highly competent and dedicated officials heading various departments of the State Government.  The political acumen, maturity and outstanding financial management of the present Chief Minister, Sri K.Rosaiah is well known.  We deeply appreciate his positive response to issues concerning the armed forces in the state during my earlier interactions with him over the last one year.

The State is home to a large number of serving and retired defence service personnel.  The Army, with a strength of about 35000 persons, has a large Number of training establishments and field formation in the State, largely concentrated in the Secunderabad and Hyderabad Cantonments.  Similarly the Air Force and Navy also have a No of training and operational units stationed in Andhra Pradesh.  The Defence forces stationed in different locations in the State provide inherent security, contribute to the economy, promote ecological preservation and add to the multi cultural diversity of the State.

The internal security environment in the country has changed adversely during the last decade with a No of threats including left wing extremism, terrorism aided by external and internal agencies inimical to the nation, organized crime and smuggling acting simultaneously in various parts of the country.  It is heartening that the Andhra Pradesh Government has been proactive in keeping the internal security situation under control for the last several years.  Notwithstanding this situation, there is a need for us to remain alert to emerging threats on this front and improve our mechanism of sharing of intelligence and conduct of joint training and rehearsals in operations to counter terrorism.

The security of defence establishments in the twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad has assumed greater importance consequent to revelations made by persons interrogated by intelligence agencies post 26/11 attack in Mumbai.  We have initiated measures to thwart any hostile action against our assets but look forward to timely inputs from State intelligence agencies of emerging threats to defence establishments in the State.

A.P. witnessed major floods in Kurnool and Mahboobnagar during the last year and cyclonic threats in coastal districts during recent past.  There is a need for regular sharing of information with armed forces on meteorological data and flood threat within the State and timely warning by the State Government of requirement of assistance of armed forces.  While we are always prepared to undertake operations in aid to civil Government times of such natural disasters once the State has exhausted its integral resources, there is a mandatory requirement of obtaining sanction of the Government of India for utilisation of the armed forces in such situations.

AP is a major contributor of manpower to the armed forces.  The gallant actions of these young men and women on the far flung frontiers of our country are a reason for the State to be proud of.  We look up to the State Government to provide whole hearted assistance in various projects undertaken for their welfare in the State thereby contributing immensely to the upkeep of morale of our soldiers and the well being of their families.  The large population of the retired defence service personnel is a potent force of trained manpower available in the State, which if properly harnessed and employed, can contribute immensely to the security and development of the State.