Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Sunday took up with Union Mines Secretary Arun Kumar pending projects in Telangana, notably the steel plant at Bayyaram which was promised in the AP Reorganisation Act, when the latter called on him here.
Mr. Rao told Mr. Arun Kumar that it was Andhra Pradesh which benefited most from the Centre after bifurcation of the erstwhile State but Telangana was not even conceded all that was promised by the Act. He expressed anguish that no headway was made on several representations by the State government to Union Ministers to establish the steel plant at Bayyaram in Khammam, a release said.
Mr. Rao informed the senior bureaucrat that the Centre set up a steel plant at Visakhapatnam where there were no reserves of iron ore. However, the same was delayed at Bayyaram where the reserves were available to the required extent.
Action plan sought
He urged the Centre to immediately launch the action plan to set up the plant at Bayyaram.
If needed, the State government will extend all possible help. The State government will continue its efforts relentlessly for the plant as it had the potential to generate employment for youth in the backward area of Khammam.
Later, Mr. Rao also met the managements of beedi companies to discuss the impact of GST on the industry. He assured them that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will demand reduction of tax on beedis at the next meeting of GST council here next month.
The higher dosage of GST on beedis will adversely impact the livelihood of workers dependent on the industry. Therefore, all State governments must mount pressure on the Centre to reduce the tax rate.
The Centre responded to the efforts of Telangana government but some more pressure will definitely bring down the tax, he added.
