Hyderabad|India|September'2009: Sri K.B.Narasimha Prasad,
President, Andhra Chamber of Commerce; Sri A.Ramesh Prasad, Vice-President
and Chairman, Secunderabad Advisory committee; Sri T.G.Venkatesh, MLA and
industrialist; Sri A.M.Rao, Mrs.A.K.Rao and friends.
It is a very happy occasion for me to be present here. This is one of the
oldest organizations trying their best to support the industry, trade and
commerce since 82 years. In the earlier years, when we talk of this
Chamber of Commerce, middle class and lower middle class traders used to
say that this chamber will take care of big industrialists only. But now
they have also changed their attitude. In the recent past they were
telling me that the Chamber of Commerce is also taking necessary steps to
support us to help us. I congratulate the management of chamber of
commerce for this positive change.
Actually, this organization was headed by very eminent personalities. All
of them are pioneers in industry. Government at the national level has got
the habit of consulting all chamber of commerce organizations, CCI etc.,
while faming the budget at the national level. At state level, it is
happening now and then but not regularly. While I was preparing the budget
for 2009-10, I told our financial people that from hereafter, whenever we
go for the new budget, we will have to consult the people of Trade &
Commerce also. After all, they want to exist and they want to help the
government. They are the most law abiding people.
I am assuring you from next financial year onwards, we will consult you
also, take your advice for the betterment of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
As all of you know well, Andhra Pradesh has picked up in industrialization
and IT exports. Sri Rajasekhara Reddy took the reins of the State in 2004
when the agricultural was in total neglect. Since ours is an agrarian
State, Sri Rajasekhara Reddy wanted to extend maximum support to
agriculture. Once there was a feeling among the agricultural community.
Agriculture will not give us food. “However, we toil, no remunerative
prices, no support from the government, we are left to our fate”, this was
their feeling. But Rajasekhara Reddy started supporting agriculture and
his theme was that agriculture also is dependable like any other sector.
The farmer need not shed his tears and go back to his home. He must get
remunerative prices. Thus as you all know, Government has taken lot of
steps. He was not satisfied with the support and growth of agriculture. He
was equally concerned about other sectors also. Now we will pay necessary
attention to the industry, trade and commerce. Without industrialization,
I believe the State cannot prosper.
You know this government’s industrial policy. It will be changing now and
then. As far as my knowledge goes, we were charging the lowest power
tariff for the industrial sector in the country. There is no other state
which has offered so low a tariff for industrial sector. Not only that, in
the past, this State has not bothered about SEZs though there were number
of Economic Zones in Gujarat on the sea coast. But late Sri Rajasekhara
Reddy started taking up SEZs in a very big way. If I remember well we have
applied for 51 SEZs and we got clearances for 45. Apart from SEZs, we
welcomed industrial investments in to the state. If you look at FDIs. Once
upon a time, our share was very negligible. But during the last five
years, it has steadily increased. We also paved the way for bringing
foreign institutional investments also. Because of recent global meltdown,
India also has stated its effect. Andhra Pradesh cannot be an exception to
this malady. Our great Prime Minister who is known as an international
economist, the meltdown effect is slowly stabilizing. Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, Mr.Ahluwalia, Vice President of Planning Commssion, were
mentioning one day that ‘now we are in the take off stage once again’. In
the coming three four months, we will see little change from the bad
position. It will not go to worse. But there will be some improvement. The
Government will take care of all the sections of the society in the three
months. Industry is one area, where we will have to pay special attention.
I will go through the memorandum given by Mr. Narasimha Prasad, and also
ask my department to examine the issues raised in it. I assure you that I
will look into it. What ever that has to be rectified we will definitely
rectify and do the needful.
Another important thing is that Andhra Pradesh is fortunate with the
leadership of late Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy. He fought with the Centre
repeatedly and succeeded in his attempts. Barring Steel plant at Vizag, no
another big industry from the central public sector has come to this
state. BHEL and NTPC power plant equipment manufacturing unit is coming up
at Mannavaram near Sri Kalahasti in Chittoor district, for which the Prime
Minister has given the clearance. It is being set up at a cost of Rs.6,000
crore in which thousands of people are going to get employment. With this
quite a number of ancillary units are also likely to come in the area.
Vizag Steel Plant expansion is another good sign. Government of India have
decided to invest about around Rs.9,000 crore for the expansion. Apache
foot wear industry is another company which is one of the top three
manufacturers in the world of foot wear which is functioning in Nellore
district for the past one and half years. They are also going for
expansion. Late Rajasekhara Reddy was to inaugurate it shortly. But
unfortunately, we missed him. Another development is, from Colombo,
Brandix Company has started their operations and their gigantic unit is
slated for inauguration at Vizag.
I look to all of you and through you to your friends who have not attended
to this meeting. Please help the State to grow. Come forward. Make
investments. Ours is a very friendly state for investments. You must have
seen the World Bank’s report recently. They said, Hyderabad particularly
is a very friendly city for investments. This is a great pat for us. With
the support of all of you the State Government will strive hard to perform
better in all aspects. We have got major plants with some more coming up
in the power sector. As for as Agriculture is concerned, we continue to
support it. Under Irrigation, no other country has thought of taking up so
many projects at one go. If you remember well, the only project, Nagarjuna
Sagar was thought of long long back. But Rajasekhara Reddy’s vision was
totally different. He has taken up 81 projects and so far about 13 were
completed and water released. About 20 lakh acres is getting water.
In Education front also if you see, there were a very universities in the
state. To my knowledge there is no other Chief Minister who has granted
for establishment of 16 universities at one go. Like wise 6 government
medical colleges were started during his period. I had the privilege of
working as Minister for Medical & Health for four years. During those
days, ie. during the British and post-British period there were 11 medical
colleges in the entire state. During Rajasekhara Reddy’s rule of five
years alone, he has granted six medical colleges. And the 7th one he
wanted to start in the Chest Hospital at Errgadda with as bed strength of
700. You all know that the State was agitating for one IIIT Dr.Reddy
sanctioned 3 IIITs at one go with a capital investment of Rs.1,200 crore
each with an intake of 2000 people. He wanted to give representation to
all the regions. Each Mandal can depute five pupil subject to
reservations. This type of system was not available in earlier days.
I am happy to be with all of you. I have great respect for veterans
sitting in this hall. Sr.T.G.Venkatesh is a very enthusiastic person and
industrialist. He has donated for may causes. Presently, he has donated
this Atluri Koteswar Rao Memorial Hall today where I am sure that number
of activities would take place in future. I am sure that all your
endeavours will succeed. Thank you for the opportunity given to me.
