Andhra Pradesh on growth path, claims Governor

Hyderabad, Jan 26 : Governor ESL Narasimhan on Sunday claimed that the Andhra Pradesh was on the path of growth in several sectors.

“Andhra Pradesh is all set to achieve record food grain production of over 207 lakh million tonne during 2013-14, surpassing its previous best of 204 LMTs achieved in 2007-08. The per capita income of AP has moved upwards rapidly in the recent past from Rs 69,350 during 2011-12 to Rs 78,564 in 2012-13. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth at 2004-05 prices in 2012-13 is 5.78 per cent which is higher than the national average,” the Governor said while addressing the Republic Day function at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad.

The Governor also listed out various schemes launched by the State Government. He said the Centre recently notified Hyderabad as an ITIR which is expected to be developed in an area of about 202 sq kms. On completion, the ITIR would generate an estimated revenue of around Rs 3.11 lakh crore, besides providing direct employment to nearly 15 lakh professionals and indirect employment which will benefit five million people. He said that the ITIR in Visakhapatnam is expected to be in the place soon and the project would get clearances on a fast-track mode.

Narasimhan said that the government has initiated measures to set up IT incubation centres in several cities and towns across the state. The state government has approved a policy for promoting gaming, animation, media and entertainment (GAME) sectors and in tune with it, a first-of-its kind GAME Park in Ranga Reddy district is coming up, he said. This Park, upon successful completion, will provide office space to 100 enterprises, employment opportunities for 15,000 professionals and will achieve USD 500 million in exports, the Governor said.

Observing that the IT sector in Andhra Pradesh is surging ahead and has registered a turnover of over Rs 64,000 crores during 2012-13, the Governor said the sector’s growth rate is expected to be robust during the current year. The total recruitment of IT professionals in the sector in the state stands at 3.27 lakh. The Centre has sanctioned three National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ), one each to Chittoor, Prakasam and Medak districts. Each NIMZ, spread over 5000 hectares, is expected to attract investments of Rs 30,000 crores, Narasimhan said. He said the foundation stone for a prestigious Aerospace Park in Ibrahimpatnam mandal of Ranga Reddy district(on the outskirts of Hyderabad) had been laid. This facility has a potential to provide direct employment to 2,000 professionals and indirect employment to benefit nearly 10,000 people,the Governor said.

During the last three years, four State Investment Promotion Board meetings were held and 76 investment proposals cleared with an investment potential of Rs 1.42 lakh crore and expected to create 1.6 lakh new jobs, he said. Narasimhan said in the power sector, the government was planning to add 9709 MW of capacity to the existing 16,669 MW during the 12th Plan period, Narasimhan said.

Narasimhan said the year 2014 is hopefully the best year for new capacity addition in the power sector starting with the commissioning of the 800 MW Krishnapatnam first unit, he said. Narasimhan said notwithstanding nature’s fury by way of cyclonic storms that devastated the state in October and November last.

Narasimhan emphasized the need for emulating the path of those great leaders who laid down their lives for the nation. He exhorted the youth and people to make optimal use of positive power to achieve their goal.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, ministers and other leaders were also present. INN