Fapcci seeks decentralised development after bifurcation

• Creation of land banks in each district for optimal utilization of available land for industries
• Restriction of real estate activity to prevent spiraling of land cost
• Mechanisation of agriculture for better productivity
• setting up of required cold storage and warehousing facilities

Hyderabad: The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci) has on Wednesday recommended for decentralized development in Telangana and residual Andhra Pradesh in the aftermath of bifurcation so that all the regions and districts in both the states could witness uniform development. “Till now, most of the development has been in and around Hyderabad, leading to economic imbalances. After the bifurcation, emphasis should be given to the decentralized industrial development and specialized industrial zones should be created in each district or small group of districts keeping local resources in mind,” Srinivas Ayyadevara, President, Fapcci, told media after releasing separate vision documents on socio-economic development of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh here.

He said these documents could be used as base by the new governments in the both states for chalking out industrial development plans for both the states. “We will submit the documents to all the political parties and urge them to take our recommendations in consideration for overall development of the respective states,” he said. He further said that the industry body would prepare a detailed industrial development plan each sector and would work closely with the two governments to achieve desired results.

According to him, both the governments should focus on manufacturing sector which is imperative for generating jobs in large number. “At present, manufacturing sector accounts for just 11 per cent of the GDP. Efforts should be made to take its contribution to 24 to 25 per cent as being envisioned by the central government,” he explained. According to the vision documents, both the governments should formulate human resource policies so that people could be trained properly for enhancing their employability.

They underlined the need for creation of land banks in each district for optimal utilization of available land, restriction of real estate activity to prevent spiraling of land cost, mechanisation of agriculture for better productivity, creation of required cold storage and warehousing facilities, in addition to setting up of small manufacturing zones for each district.

On the infrastructure development, Fapcci underlined the need for development of parallel as well as radial roads. The industry body also said that while Telangana would need at least three domestic airports for improving air connectivity, the AP would require three international airports and some domestic airports. Pointing out that the residual AP could be a power surplus state, it said that the AP government should not issue any new licences for thermal or gas based power plants. Instead, it should initiate measures to utilise the existing plant load capacities to the optimum level.

Fapcci however said that Telangana would face power shortage to 3,000 MW. “Therefore, thermal power plants should be set up at Adilabad, Karimnagar and Khammam districts where coal is available,” it added. Replying to a query, Srinivas Ayyadevara said that Fapcci would continue to work for both states after bifurcation. “Facci has a rich heritage and history of over 97 years, and is a well-known organization across the world. So, I don’t see any problem in working for both the states. Besides, Hyderabad will be common capital for both the states for 10 years and both the governments will work only from here,” he maintained.