The Hindu Business Line : YSR dismisses comparison with Maharashtra on free power

DISMISSING any comparisons with Maharashtra, where the Congress Government has done away with free power to the farm sector, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has remarked, "Maharashtra is Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh is Andhra Pradesh. No comparison is called for or necessary."

He made the comment at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Vizag Journalists' Forum here on Wednesday when his attention was drawn to the decision of the Maharashtra Government.

He refused to comment on the decision of the Maharashtra Government and was unwilling to elaborate on the subject further.

Earlier, on the occasion of his Government completing one year in power, he reviewed the progress of projects in Visakhapatnam in particular and the coastal corridor from Kakinada to Vizag in general.

"We are determined to develop the corridor as quickly as possible and possibly extend it to Srikakulam. A special economic zone is coming up here as well as a pharma city. Volkswagen company has responded positively to our efforts and we are confident the unit will come up here," he said.

The future for the IT sector is also bright in Vizag, with Satyam Computers already arriving here and Wipro and TCS on the way, Dr Reddy said. "The international airport would be ready in two or three years and that would give a great boost to the industrial development of the region."

The Chief Minister said his Government would encourage exploitation of bauxite reserves in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam and east Godavari districts. "The Andhra Pradesh Mining Development Corporation will undertake the venture. Nalco has expressed its willingness to set up a smelter plant here."

Dr Reddy said he had laid the foundation for the LV Prasad Eye Institute here and the Visakhapatnm Institute of Medical Sciences would also be set up. "We want to promote health tourism here as well in addition to beach tourism."

He said the expansion of Visakhapatnam steel plant would get clearance soon and steps will also be taken to revive the ailing BHPV and Hindusthan Shipyard Ltd. "We want to develop Vizag into a fine, clean modern industrial port city," he added.

In response to a question, he said his Government is hopeful of attracting Rs 15,000 crore of investments into the State in the next four to five years.

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