The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board that met under CM Chandrababu Naidu also cleared various incentives for industries.
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 the setting up of two greenfield cement plants - one in Dachepalli of the Guntur district and other in Petnikota of the Kurnool district - by Ultratech Cement of the Aditya Birla group, and one cement plant at Kolimigundla by the Ramco group.
The total capacity of these three cement plants will be about 12 million tons per annum, and they will generate employment for nearly 4,000 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 cement 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:
1. cleared incentives for Kellogg's India Ltd., which is setting up its plant near Sri City
2. approved supply of water at a concessional rate for 5 years for all-new textile units that will come up in the Bandix SEZ at Atchutapuram in the Visakhapatnam district
3. 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 the paper and cardboard industry
4. deleted MDF board and particle board manufacturing units from the negative list of IIPP 2010-15 based on the recommendations of the SIPC
5. 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 need to take steps to provide employment to the people of the State to the greatest extent.
It was also decided to come out with a new infrastructure policy for providing external infrastructure like approach roads, power, water etc. to all industries.
The issue of delays in release of investment subsidy, incentives, sales tax deferrals, power subsidy etc., which are pending to the tune of Rs. 1,400 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 the 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 had already given a no-objection certificate thereby allaying the unfounded apprehensions of the local Gram Panchayat.
The SIPB noted that there were still proposals pending with various departments under the single window clearance scheme, and directed the departments to clear them within 72 hours.
The SIPC headed by the Chief Secretary will meet once in a month to clear any bottlenecks in the single window clearance processes.
The Chief Minister stated that he would conduct an SIPB meeting every month to clear all important projects for the benefit of the State. He made it clear that 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 had also decided to take a serious view of pollution-related issues as well industrial safety on priority in highly industrialized zones like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Pydi Bhimavaram.
It was also decided that law and order would be maintained by the district administration at any cost in the industrial areas, so that there was no industrial unrest by anti-social elements and an industrial friendly environment was created, to help attract more industries to the state. (INN)