Hyderabad: After witnessing the devastation caused by Cyclone Hudhud in Visakhapatnam, one of the crown jewels of Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana government’s new industrial policy will offer a unique USP: A cyclone-free environment.
That is clearly one thing that the AP government will not be able to promise investors. The policy will be presented in the Budget session of the Assembly.
It also offers a corruption-free single window clearance system and incentives. Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who held a series of review meetings with senior officials to formulate the policy also reportedly spoke about marketing the pleasant Telangana weather for investments.
“We have a pleasant climate in and around Hyderabad. We have infrastructure, natural resources, manpower, land and other inputs. CM garu also wants to market the environment that is safe from natural hazards like cyclones.
There is a power problem but it will ease to some extent by next year,” an official said.
The Telangana government is learning from the Singapore model of project clearances, it is learnt. “The Act will be industry friendly and comprehensive, with government offering a congenial, corruption-free environment for industries to set up base here along with tax incentives.
Our aim is to eliminate red tape. Our trump card will be single window clearance,” a senior official said.
The CM had set up a task force on industry and infrastructure to evolve a comprehensive industrial policy. The details are being kept closely guarded.
It focuses on improving the ease with which to do business through single-window clearances that is systemically monitored and delivery of incentives online to eliminate leakages within the stipulated regulatory ambience, hassle-free clearances for all industrial parks, transparent land allocation and 10 per cent water for industrial use.
The policy is expected to provide tailor-made incentives for mega projects involving Rs 200 crore-plus investment employing 1,000 persons, attractive incentives compared to neighbouring states including stamp duty exemptions, power at low cost, VAT reimbursement and subsidies for land cost, investment and interest.
It will also provide a fillip to SC, ST entrepreneurs in micro and small enterprises, decentralise development and employment generation and focus on other districts overshadowed by Hyderabad, Medak and Ranga Reddy.
The Telangana government is also focusing on developing high competence in 12 core sectors like life sciences, bulk drugs vaccines, neutraceuticals and biologicals IT hardware and semi conductors, precision engineering including aviation, aerospace and defence, food processing and nutrition products and automobiles.
The policy will also cover heavy engineering, plastics, polymers and chemicals, textiles and apparel, leather, waste management and green technologies, renewable energy and solar power, gems and jewellery, inland port, logistics hub and container depot and mineral based industries.
