Lokesh Says AP Committed to Decentralised Development

Vijayawada:Education, electronics and IT minister Nara Lokesh has outlined ambitious plans for developing the various regions of the state, committing the NDA alliance government to decentralised development.

"We are dedicated to bringing manufacturing units to Rayalaseema and developing the services sector in north Andhra,” he underlined, addressing a press conference on Friday on bringing industries to AP.

Lokesh maintained that Telugu Desam has been for developing Andhra Pradesh industrially from the beginning. In the latest development, they have worked for bringing TCS to Visakhapatnam.

Refuting claims of YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy with regard to TCS, the minister asked YSRC to disclose how many companies it had brought to Andhra Pradesh and the number of jobs it has created. “We will bring back all the industries that had been driven away by Jagan Reddy in the past,” he remarked.

Regarding decentralisation of development, Lokesh announced, “We will bring wind, solar, pump storage projects, cement factories to Kurnool, electronic manufacturing companies to Kadapa and Chittoor, and automobiles to Anantapur. We will put up aqua and petrochemical industries in both Godavari districts. We will ensure many investments in Krishna and Guntur. We are committed to decentralisation of development along with centralisation of administration,” he remarked.

The minister said construction of the ESI Hospital in Guntur will be taken up soon. A hundred-bed hospital will be established in Mangalagiri and water supply will be ensured to AIIMS. We will undertake underground drainage works in Mangalagiri in three months. We will give pattas to those who have been living on government lands for decades. We will give nominated posts to those who have worked hard for the party. We will discuss with everyone about the Sanatana Dharma Board and take a decision. Construction of roads will also be taken up soon, he stated.

Lokesh accused YSRC of resorting to negative propaganda with regard to flood relief. He pointed out that the entire cabinet led by Chandrababu Naidu had supervised relief works in the flood-affected areas. He claimed that ₹650 crore had been spent on rehabilitation.

The minister warned that strict action will be taken against YSRC if it keeps spreading fake news regarding flood relief.