The Telangana CM raised the demand when the Union Minister for Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad met him at the State Secretariat.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Saturday sought additional funds from the Centre for the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR).
The Chief Minister raised the demand when the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad called on him at the State Secretariat on Saturday.
KCR told the Union Minister that the Centre had set up the ITIR in Hyderabad and identified certain places for the creation of IT infrastructure. He said that the existing IT companies were also planning to expand their operations, and therefore needed better facilities like education and health in the ITIR region.
Informing that the Central Government had agreed to provide Rs. 165 crores for the ITIR, the Chief Minister requested Ravi Shankar Prasad to enhance the funds as they were inadequate for such a large project and the needs.
Reacting to this, the Union Minister responded positively and asked KCR to send a a formal request to his ministry from the State Government.
The ITIR has been proposed to promote investment in IT/ITES and the electronics hardware sector in Hyderabad. An area of 202 sq kms (49.913 acres) has been identified in and around the Hyderabad Metropolitan Area, including (i) the Cyberabad Development Authority (CDA), including Gachibowli and Madhapur; (ii) the Hyderabad Airport Development Authority (HADA) covering Mamidipally, Raviryal, Adibatla & Maheswaram; and (iii) the Uppal & Pocharam areas.
The ITIR is expected to attract a total investment of about Rs. 2,19,440 crores, of which the IT/ITES sector is expected to attract investments of Rs. 1,18,355 crores, and the EHM sector, of Rs. 1,01,085 crores.
For the creation of physical infrastructure for this, a financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 4,863 crores (Rs. 942 crores in Phase I and Rs. 3,921 crores in Phase II) had been sought from the Government of India, and upon consideration, the GoI approved Central support to an extent of Rs. 3,275 crores (Rs. 165 crores in Phase I and Rs. 3,110 crores in Phase II).
KCR also briefed the Union Minister about the State's new industrial policy, which he claimed was a first-of-its-kind in the country. Stating that the policy facilitates self-certification, he handed over a copy of the policy to him.
The Union Minister appreciated the efforts being made by the State Government for the development of Telangana and offered all his assistance, especially in the fields of information technology and communications.
Telangana IT Minister K Tarakarama Rao, Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma, Principal Secretary to CM S. Narsing Rao and Parliament Member Boora Narsaiah Goud were present in the meeting. (INN)