Andhra Pradesh   

Separate Telangana State unlikely, says YSR

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister's interactive meeting with captains of industry

BANGALORE: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Monday categorically said that Andhra Pradesh would remain united and the demand for statehood to Telangana region materialising "is not bright". Congress president Sonia Gandhi is seized of the matter.

At an interactive meeting with captains of the industry, organised here by APInvest, the nodal agency of Andhra Pradesh Government for investments, Dr. Reddy said the thinking in the Congress party was that the progress of Telangana had to be put on a fast track and this would happen in the next two to three years, thus paving the way for separatists to give up their demand of statehood. However, he said, in the eventuality of a division, it would not adversely affect Hyderabad.

Making a pitch for increased investments in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Reddy said that it "is the best destination" and the IT and ITES had grown by 65 per cent last year. As for the semi-conductor and hardware sectors, he said with the Fab City coming up fast, the State and the country should be able to catch up with China soon.

Stating that Andhra Pradesh was better than any other State on many counts, e-governance included, Dr. Reddy said the decision- making process had been quickened. Thanking Infosys for setting up its centre in AP, he said it would provide employment to about 25,000 persons in the next few years. The focus now was on developing tier-II cities and the State had launched a training programme for students of professional courses to join the sunrise industries after finishing their courses.

Director of Software Technology Parks of India, Bangalore and Hyderabad, B.V.Naidu said Andhra Pradesh was driven by a `pro-active' Chief Minister and a team of officials propping industrial development, besides rapid infrastructural growth.

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