Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Friday said that the Singapore government was preparing free of cost the master plan for the new capital of the State.
In a brief chat with reporters in the Assembly, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said the government was not extending any concessions to Singapore in connection with the building of the capital.
He said the capital would be built in a transparent manner by calling tenders. He said VAT on aviation turbine fuel was reduced to ensure more flights to Andhra Pradesh.
He said the Centre has made it clear that it would not reimburse the Rs. 5,000 crore spent so far on the Polavaram project. However, it would bear most of the expenditure in future since it was declared a national project. He hit out at the YSR Congress wondering why it was opposing the proposed lift irrigation scheme near Polavaram to take water to Rayalaseema.
Japan’s Ambassador calls on NaiduMeanwhile, a six-member committee comprising three officials each from Japanese and Andhra Pradesh Governments was formed to pursue investments from Japan and ensure faster clearances for projectsThe committee will meet every month pursue investments and ensure faster the process of clearances and that approvals from AP government is made hassle-free through single-desk system.
Japan’s Ambassador to India, Takeshi Yagi, called on Mr. Naidu on Friday and evinced interest in joining AP in concept master-planning of capital city. To this, the Chief Minister replied in the affirmative and told the Japanese Ambassador to identify the sectors for investing in Andhra Pradesh
Mr. Naidu said Japan could partner with Andhra Pradesh in agriculture mechanisation, agro processing, aquaculture, petro-chemicals, automobile and power sectors. Mr Yagi said Japan has identified AP Investment Task Force (as suggested by the CM on his visit to Japan recently) and work closely with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
