Telangana fails to attract big companies for investment

Hyderabad: The Telangana government’s vigorous campaign, in India and abroad, to attract mega investors has yielded partial success, although officials claim that they have got positive signals from some big companies.

As many as 40 companies have got clearances through the TS-iPass system, which was installed for speedier clearances, but there are no big names among them.

Some of the companies that have got the nod so far are — Shanta Biotech (Rs 458 crore), Biological E Limited (Rs 150 crore), Pitru Krupa Kanch Ghar (Rs 91 crore), VST Industries (Rs 82 crore), Granules India (Rs 45 crore), Roxy Roller Flour Mill (Rs 35 crore) Balmer Lawrie Company (Rs 31 crore) and Covalent Labs (Rs 26 crore).

“Most of the companies that have applied are start-ups and smaller units or those who have sought for expansion of earlier units. There is no big company among them. The biggies may approach through other routes, i.e. at the highest political and administrative level,” said R. Madhusudhana Rao, additional director, Commissionerate of Industries.

Total investment expected from the 40 companies is around Rs 1,600 crore and many of the units will come up in HMDA limits, he said. Nearly 7,000 people would get employment directly or indirectly, he added.

Units to manufacture plastic goods, readymade garments, polymers, packaging, automobile spare parts, electrical goods as well as pharma-related products will come up, officials said.

The government has also eased the rule of minimum 40-feet approach roads for units. “It will be till the time of occupancy,” an official said. The TS-iPass Bill was passed in Assembly and all clearances will be given in under 30 days. The thrust areas are life sciences including biotechnology and pharma; IT hardware including medical devices, communications, aviation, aero-space and defence; food processing and nutrition products; automobiles, farm equipment, transport vehicles, textiles, leather and apparel and related products.