Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to implement special packages for the North Andhra and Rayalaseema regions and industrial incentives on the lines of those prevailing in hilly states, MP K. Haribabu has mooted a special council for export of agriculture products.
Speaking at a seminar on development of North Andhra organised by the Uttarandhra Journalists’ Front on Tuesday, he said, since Vijayawada achieved its main demand of being the capital for the new State, it should not insist on other benefits, including the new railway zone and its headquarters.
Visakhapatnam earned a pride of place after being identified for development as Smart City. Development should be decentralised and the mistakes that led to formation of Telanganga should not be repeated, he said.
Three books penned by National Human Rights Commission member and former member of the UPSC K.S. Chalam on development of North Andhra, Kalingandhra, and Teluguseema were released on the occasion.
Asserting that bifurcation would benefit the new State, Prof. Chalam said that an approach paper with focus on agriculture, industry, and tourism and an outlay of Rs. 40,000 crore was prepared and released in March. Prof. Chalam said since the new capital was proposed to be developed in one-lakh acres of fertile land, water being used there should be diverted to North Andhra.
Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G. S. N. Raju said that besides Tribal University, another university would come up in Vizianagaram.
Special Consultant of A P Study Circle U. Subrahmanyam said IT should play a complementary role in the manufacturing sector to improve job opportunities for poor and semi-skilled persons.
Prof. Chandu Subba Rao reviewed the books released.
UJF president M. R. N. Varma, general secretary N. Nageswara Rao, and senior journalist Sasank Mohan spoke.
