Amaravati development unstoppable, says Chandrababu Naidu

Visakhapatnam: Development of Amaravati is unstoppable with the sacrifices of Amaravati region farmers and Central government support for the development of capital, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday.

He was speaking at the laying of foundation for public sector banks and insurance companies by Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitaraman in Amaravati.

Chandrababu Naidu said the Amaravati reconstruction works were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government allotted Rs 15000 crore for Amaravati development works. He said Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman laid foundation for 15 public sector banks and insurance companies which are going to be developed at a cost of Rs 1334 crore. With this a financial city will be developed first of its kind in Amaravati providing employment to 6570 people.

He appealed to Union Finance Minister for extension of exemption on capital gains for Amaravati region farmers as they failed to utilise the opportunity so far. He said that the Central government has been extending support to Polavaram project and Visakha steel plant. He said Amaravati will be developed as a world class capital to make India proud. He appealed to bankers to develop a bankers tower in quantum valley to provide financial services from Amaravati.

Speaking on the occasion Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman stressed the need for protecting the interests of capital region farmers who gave lands for development of Amaravati capital. She appealed bankers to think afresh and extend financial assistance to farmers on top priority.

She said Chandrababu Naidu was keen to develop Rayalaseema region as horticulture hub, bankers should come forward to extend financial assistance for developing necessary infrastructure including cold storages, connectivity, packaging and export of fruits and vegetables from the region to rest of the country and abroad. She said Prime Minister who is ensuring food security now insisting on nutrition security and promoting horticulture sector.

Lauding the efforts of state government in developing of Quantum hub and artificial intelligence, she appealed to Chief Minister to give priority to basic science subjects as Andhra is known for toppers and experts in science subjects.

The Union Finance Minister praised the chief Minister for coming forward for allotting land for Indian Institute of Astro Physics to set up world class planetarium in Amaravati and added that the planetarium will help the young minds to talk about astro physics as they can witness the planets in real time from the centre.

The Capital region development authority and Indian Institute of Astro Physics signed MoU for developing a planetarium on international standards in Amaravati for which the state government allotted five acres of land.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Minister for Finance Payyavula Kesav, Minister for IT Nara Lokesh, Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar addressed the gathering. Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Department of Finance Services, Govt of India Nagaraju welcomed the gathering. Chairmen, Managing directors of various public sector banks and insurance companies attended the programme.