Articles
Goodbye to Confrontation and Agitation Forward to Build a Prosperous A.P
Dt: 28/2/18
Goodbye to Confrontation and Agitation
Forward to Build a Prosperous A.P
Dr T.H.Chowdary*
The three-day summit of the Government of Andhra Pradesh in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Visakhapatnam concluded on the 26th of Feb 2018. A total of 734 Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for a total investment of Rs. 4,39,765 cr which would create 11,02,125 jobs were concluded. In the previous two same type of summits, 1,946 MOUs for an investment of Rs. 13.5 lakh cr to create 31 lakh jobs were concluded. All these Summits together amount to 2,780 MOUs, for a total investment of Rs. 17,89,765 cr to create a total of 42,02,125 jobs. Even if a very Special Status is given by the Government of India to the stripped down A.P, we could not hope to get Rs. 17,89,765 cr even in the next 20 years. 2,780 companies creating 42,02,125 jobs will be staggering outcome. In fact, there may not be enough number of qualified persons to fill up the 42 lakh new jobs that are promised to be created. Sri Chandra Babu Naidu deserves to be congratulated and crowned for this spectacular achievement through his magnetic personality extending over scores of countries and hundreds of global businesses. When such is the picture of development, is it necessary that A.P should once again witness a disruptive movement in confrontation with the Center for not getting either Special Status or a package ?
2. The new industries and jobs promised will bring far more prosperity than what Polavaram project or the Amaravathi capital project can produce. Government of Andhra Pradesh under the charismatic and stunning leadership of Sri Chandra Babu Naidu should try to manage its finances in the most judicious and economic manner. Instead of wasting money on free- bees like Chandranna Kanukalu ( Rs. 1200 cr in the last 3 years alone on Sankranti, Christmas and Ramzan festivities), gifts not demanded by any segment of the
population or not promised in any election manifesto. The TDP promised during the election campaign in 2014 to give one job for every family at least. Is this promise fulfilled? It will be much more over fulfilled by the 42 lakhs jobs that would be forthcoming from the nearly 18 lakhs crores of investment through the 2,780 MOUs. What is necessary is to concentrate efforts to convert the MOUs into actual investments in industries and businesses in the quickest of time.
3. A.P had had enough number of disruptive agitations spanning over decades - movement for separation of Andhra from Madras province in 1952-’53, separate Telangana movement 1969-‘71’ Jai Andhra movement in 1971-‘72 , Samaikyandhra moment in 2013-‘14 and now the special status movement. In the back-ground is the simmering moment for a separate Rayalaseema state with the initial demand now of at least the location of the A.P High Court in Rayalaseema and Kurnool as the second capital of A.P. It may not be out of context to point out that the TDP ruled over Rayalaseema as well as the then backward districts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagram and Visakhapatnam for 15 years out of which Sri Chandra Babu Naidu was the Chief Minister for 9 years. What could not be done for the backward districts in 15 years cannot by any miracle be done in the next 3 to 5 years. Between 1956-2014, all the entrepreneurship and the investment resources from the Seemandhra had been poured into Hyderabad. Now, they are to be poured only into Amaravati. No, they should be distributed for even development of all the districts taking special care of the seven backward districts out of the 13 A.Ps districts .
4. There should be no squandering of taxes raised and borrowed monies on popularity-building and temporary pleasure-giving Chandranna Kanukalu and vote-courting give-aways for construction of churches ( increased from Rs. 3 to 5 lakhs); funding Christian pilgrimages (increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 40,000 per person); building Shadi Khanas, Urdu ghars, Haj and Christian Houses. The reckless spending by a financially deficit state by borrowing more than Rs. 1,20,000 cr in 3 years, compared to Rs. 96,000 crores in 59 years between 1956 and 2014 is to be avoided. About Rs. 15,000 cr per is being spent on servicing the Rs. 2,16,000 debt of A.P.
5. Chandra Babu Naidu is the most hardworking Chief Minister. His example of creating wealth by entrepreneurship and business acumen should be a lesson for A.Ps young. The conversion ratio ( MOUs into companies on the ground) of the MOUs at 58.7% and realisation of investments at 43% are good; they would be bettered by the indefatigable efforts of the Chief Minister. The jobs that would come will fulfil the hope of people , “Babu vaste, job vastundi” ( if Babu becomes C.M, jobs will come). IT is therefore proper and wise for people to refrain from disruptive movements over “hoda as janma hakku”. Confrontation with Central government is suicidal. Which non-NDA government at the Center would be more patronising to the TDP government in A.P? We should avoid dramatics and lead people to be optimistic, hard-working and frugal and have limited families. (843 words)
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