Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has invited the captains of automobile industry to set up their plants in Andhra Pradesh and help it emerge as a leading automobile hub in the country. He offered all support to the industry to gain a strong foothold in the State.
Inaugurating Auto Show South-2010 here on Friday, he said the automotive industry was capable of being the driver of economic growth and creating large-scale employment. India was emerging as the key auto components centre in Asia and a global outsourcing hub for auto parts, he said.
He said Andhra Pradesh was providing quality infrastructure, skilled human resources and favourable industrial environment. In its latest report, the World Bank had ranked Andhra Pradesh as the best State in implementing reforms and cited Hyderabad as the “most business-friendly city” in India, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also urged the organisers to make the auto show an annual event in Hyderabad.
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Akash Passey of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) stated that Andhra Pradesh was one of the key markets for the industry accounting for 9 per cent of total vehicle sales in the country and 30 per cent sales in Southern India. Shobhana Kamineni and Y. Harishchandra Prasad of CII also spoke.
‘I pity Naidu'
Later, speaking to the media, Mr. Rosaiah came down heavily against TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu accusing him of running a misinformation campaign against the implementation of welfare schemes.
He reiterated that his government would not discontinue or prune any welfare scheme but will definitely make sure that they reached the genuinely needy people. “The question of withdrawing any programme or welfare scheme does not arise at all”, Mr. Rosaiah said.
Reacting sharply to Mr. Naidu's reported remarks that both Mr. Rosaiah and his administration were sickening, the Chief Minister sarcastically remarked: “Yes, it's disgusting to watch Rosaiah and heartening to see Naidu as he's the most handsome guy (‘manmadhudu).”
“I pity Mr. Naidu and the situation he is in at home and outside. Mr. Balakrishna's recent statement that he was ready to lead the party is giving sleepless nights to Mr. Naidu. I pity his position,” Mr. Rosaiah said.
