Split Talk: Union ministers discuss steps to develop Seemandhra, free- trade zone sought

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 28, 2013: Adding credence to the reports that bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is imminent and that the Centre would not revert on its decision on Telangana, Union ministers M.M. Pallam Raju and D. Purandeswari sought suggestions on steps to develop Seemandhra, especially three districts of north Andhra and East Godavari, from the representatives of industry body, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The round table session on ‘economic and industry growth of Vizag zone’ organised by the CII, Vizag region, gained significance due to the participation of Pallamraju and Purandeswari, who are the first to come out in open from the region in support of Centre’s decision on division of the state. They said its time for everyone to focus on how to develop the residuary state.

Interestingly, the meeting was held strictly in ‘closed doors’ at a star hotel and the media was not invited. Around 40 industrialists from pharma, steel, shipping, apparel, IT and power sectors belonging to Vizag, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and EG districts took part.

The Vizag Development Council (VDC) representatives, who also took part in the meeting, sought to make Vizag a free-trade zone like in Singapore and Dubai.

Concessions on goods tax will make this a global transshipment point, bring in foreign exchange and employment.

“APEPDCL tops other Discoms in the country but industries here are suffering due to poor allocation of power. We must provide 24-hour power supply to all villages and industries, like in Gujarat, for expediting growth. K-G Basin is one of the largest gas finds in our country but the state is not benefiting from it. The entire gas is going to Gujarat and lighting up cities there. This is causing severe unrest. All gas-based power plants are idle as the state is not supplying gas. We want priority to home state,” demanded VDC vice-president O. Naresh Kumar.

The VDC also suggested a separate Supreme Court bench for south India at Vizag and an additional High Court bench at Rajahmundry.

“Both Pallamraju and Purandeswari assured that all these requests will be placed before the Group of Ministers(GoM) for doing the needful,” added Naresh Kumar. 

Later, Pallamraju said they were firm on the united Andhra stance. If division inevitable, there is a need to develop Seemandhra, he said and suggested steps in this regard to the union government. “We are working to protect and safeguard the interests of Seemandhra public,” he told a TV channel.

Raju brushed aside rumours that the Congress leadership is ignoring party leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalseema.