The Hindu Business Line : Industrial growth in AP needs to be strengthened: CII report

Mr Busi Sam Bob, Principal Secretary (Industries), Government of Andhra Pradesh (second from right), releasing the Vision 2025 document at the CII session on ‘Developing people for accelerated inclusive growth’ in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Others (from right) are Mr R.N. Galla, Chairman, Amara Raja Batteries, Mr Pradeep Dhobale, Chairman, CII -AP, Mr Pradipta K. Mohapatra, Chairman, CII-South, Mr M. Rammohan Rao, Dean, ISB, and Mr Utpal Sen Gupta, Vice–Chairman, CII-AP.

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Hyderabad, April 1 With an aim of developing a vision for the State, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region released a report titled Andhra Pradesh Vision 2025.

“The study envisions that in 2025, the State will be a leader in human development and in quality of life. It also states that the growth is inclusive and sustainable, while being sensitive to environmental issues,” Mr Pradipta K. Mohapatra, Chairman, CII Southern Region, said after releasing the report.

The report further states that the industrial growth needs to be strengthened and more widespread in different parts of the State. “This would require more innovative and creative policy measures and development of infrastructure such as roads, power, education, irrigation, communication and IT in all the districts,” it added.

Eco concerns

The report also states that at the same time people were concerned about environmental degradation and pollution and wanted to ensure that industrial growth does not lead to a worsening of the situation.

While giving a road map for the various sectors, the report states that the Government needs to invest in agriculture, including R&D and more specifically on irrigation of all types, appropriate farm mechanisation and land development.

Also, the food processing industry needs to be supported and encouraged particularly in the rural areas, the report states.

“The practice of charging agricultural market cess should also be done away with and free sale of agricultural produce be permitted. The APCM Act needs to be further liberalised to facilitate direct procurement without market cess as the market facilities are anyway not used in such transactions,” the report stated.

For the industry, it states that, while achieving growth and profits should remain the primary focus, they can also play a role in technical and vocational training and education to increase the skill base of the workforce.

“The financial sector needs to go beyond the current models of microfinance and reach beyond businesses and individuals who need credit. The financial sector also needs to support the agro-industries. These typically require relatively low capital investment but need high working capital,” the report states.

It added that though there are some incentives in place for capital investments, obtaining working capital, especially for farmer organisation and for holding inventory of seasonal produce by processors remains a challenge.

The Vision 2025 is based on views from across cross section the society and the CII Southern Region commissioned IIM Bangalore to do the study.

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