Hyderabad: Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Friday announced that the state government is bringing out a comprehensive food processing policy to develop food processing clusters in the state.
While replying to questions from members of the House, he said that the new comprehensive policy is under discussion and once the Cabinet approves the policy, it will be implemented.
He said that the government has decided to develop processing industries through a three-tier integrated system.
The minister explained that the state was divided into 21 clusters to set up food processing units based on the crops, fruits and vegetables.
He said that several private players have come forward to set up processing units and ITC is setting up a Rs 800 crore facility in Manoharabad and Coca Cola Company is investing Rs 1,000 crore in its processing unit in the state. Several small players have invested around Rs 400 crore in units in different parts of the city.
The minister refuted the allegation of Congress members that the government has failed to promote industrial growth.
He said that the TRS government has within five years established 59 Industrial Parks in the state on 49, 000 acres.
He explained that so far 38,929 acres have been acquired for setting up the Industrial Parks and despite hurdles of the Congress, Pharma City has been established on 725 acres in Nalgonda.
He said that the Centre has so far released only Rs 3 crore for the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) at Zaheerabad and the state government has mobilised Rs 3,000 crore to set up the NIMZ.
He advised Congress members stick to facts and not to mislead the people for their political gains.
