9200 Cr investments get AP Govt's nod

Hyderabad, Sept 26 (INN): The State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), which met here under the chairmanship of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, approved proposals worth Rs.9,200 crores.

The proposals include setting up of two green field cement plants one in Dachepalli of Guntur District and other in Petnikota of Kurnool District by Ultratech cement by Aditya Birla group and one cement plant at Kolimigundla by Ramco group.

The total capacity of these three cement plants will be about 12 million tons per annum and will generate employment for nearly 4000 people directly and a few thousands more indirectly.

The SIPB also decided to provide railway siding facility between Sanjamala and Kolimigundla over a distance of 20 Kms. The SIPB agreed to provide dedicated water supply for these new water supply plants as well as additional water supply to the Tadipatri plant of Ultratech cements from the newly proposed water transmission corporation of Andhra Pradesh. The SIPB also cleared incentives for Kellogs India Ltd., which is setting up its plant near Sri City.

The SIPB also approved supply of water at concessional rate for a period of 5 years for all new textile units that will come up in Bandix SEZ at Atchutapuram in Visakhapatnam District.

The SIPB also decided to immediately reduce the AP VAT being levied on Subabul from 14.5% to 5% as Subabul is also a pulp wood species which is regenerated and meant for paper and card board industry.

The SIPB also deleted MDF Board and Particle Board manufacturing units from the negative list of IIPP 2010-15 based on the recommendations of the SIPC. The SIPB also formally approved the concessions that have been extended to Hero Motors in the MOU that was signed recently with the company in view of its tremendous potential for large scale ancillarisation and consequent employment generation in the state.

However, the Chief Minister who is the Chairman of the Board made it clear that all the companies which are given concessions shall take steps to provide employment to the people of the state to the greatest extent.

It has also been decided to come out with a new infrastructure policy for providing external infrastructure like approach road, power, water etc., to all industries.

The issue of delays in release of investment subsidy, incentives, sales tax deferments, power subsidy etc., which is pending to the tune of Rs.1400 crores was also discussed.

The SIPB directed the Commissioner of Industries to fully utilize the budget of Rs.350 crores given during the current year. Depending on the situation further grants would be released to clear the backlog.

The SIPB approved the building plan proposal of Godavari Mega Food park in West Godavari District and directed the Secretary, Panchayat Raj to release the building plans immediately in view of the fact that the Pollution Control Board has already given a no objection certificate thereby clearing the unfounded apprehensions of the local Gram Panchayat.

The SIPB noted that there are still proposals pending with various departments under single window clearance scheme and directed them to clear immediately within 72 hours.

The SIPB also decided to enlarge the membership of the Board by co-opting a few more members. The Chief Minister directed that there shall be regular meetings of the District Investment Promotion Committee under the chairmanship of Collectors every month hereafter.

The District Collectors shall send the minutes of the meeting as well as the clearances at their level online to the Office of Commissioner of Industries and Prl. Secretary, Industries. The SIPC headed by the Chief Secretary will meet once in a month to clear bottlenecks in giving single window clearances by various departments.

The Chief Minister stated that he would conduct SIPB meeting every month to clear all important projects for the benefit of the State. He made it clear industrialization of the State would be given the highest priority as that would generate the maximum employment for the youth.

He also extended the slogan 'Make in India ' Made in Andhra Pradesh', the idea being that AP should become a manufacturing hub in the country. He stated that the SIPB also decided to take a serious view of pollution related issues as well industrial safety on priority basis in highly industrialized zones like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Pydi Bhimavaram etc.

It was also decided that law and order shall be maintained by District Administration at any cost in the industrial areas, so that there is no industrial unrest by anti-social elements and an industrial friendly environment is created thereby to attract more industries to the state.