The Andhra Pradesh government would shortly unveil 11 sector-wise policies, including those on industry, infrastructure, tourism and IT and convert AP into a ‘happening State’ by creating conducive business environment for industrial growth, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared here on Friday.
Releasing the ‘White Paper on Industry, Infrastructure and Employment’ here, Mr. Naidu criticised the Congress and said its 10-year corrupt rule from 2004 had ruined the brand image of the combined State and forced investors to move to other States.
Giving an account of how the TDP government post-1991 reforms had transformed the economy by identifying key growth engines and creating a dynamic ecosystem, he said as a result, the State had made rapid strides in various sectors and jobs were created and revenue increased. He said A.P. which was ranked 22 State in 1995 had climbed up to the third position in 2004. He said during the Congress rule power sector was fully neglected and 64,000 medium, small and micro enterprises were closed down turning investments of over Rs.12,000 crore into NPAs. As a result 2.30 lakh people had lost jobs.
He said irregularities were noticed in allotment of around two lakh acres of land, including quid pro quo deals and the Cabinet sub-committee on corruption would be looking into them. Mr. Naidu declared that a new land acquisition policy, which would be transparent and make the locals as stakeholders in development, would be announced. He said foreign investors from Singapore, Malaysia and Japan have evinced interest to come to Andhra Pradesh, while the government was also inviting top IT companies.
Growth engines He said the government identified six to seven growth engines which would fetch annual revenue of Rs. 44,000 crore. Trade, tourism and hotel industry would generate Rs.7,000 crore, agriculture Rs.6,000 crore, IT industry Rs.10,000 crore and Food Processing Rs.6,000 crore.
He said Visakhapatnam would be turned into industrial and financial capital, while Anantapur-Chittoor would become a horticultural hub. He said a petroleum university at Rajahmundry and a marine university in West Godavari would be set up.
‘Sunrise Country’ is the new title given to Andhra Pradesh by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu here on Friday.
Likening the new State to sunrise, Mr. Naidu said he was giving the title of ‘Sunrise Country’ on the lines of ‘God’s Own Country’ for Kerala. “With that brand Andhra Pradesh government will go ahead,” he said.
