The Hindu Business Line : AP assures single-window clearance for NRIs

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy, assured a single window clearance system for projects within the framework created for investments within the State.

Responding to an NRI's interest in setting up a five-star hotel near the Shamshabad international airport, Dr Reddy said that there would be no problem in finding a suitable site and also providing the necessary clearances once the company comes out with concrete business plan.

Interacting with NRIs at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here on Sunday, Dr Reddy along with senior Cabinet colleague and officials from industries, information technology and communication, sought to clarify how the State has emerged as one of the favoured destination for investments in IT, ITES and biotechnology spheres.

The Chief Minister said the State had second largest power generation capacity in the country with 11,115 MW capacity and another 5000 MW generation is likely to be added within the next four years. The Government was in the process of acquiring 25,000 acres of land to locate a port-based special economic zone near Krishnapatnam.

The Krishna-Godavari basin has large reserves of methane rich natural gas, which can be used for production of fertilisers, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, methane-based chemicals and power generation.

The Government was in the process of creating a State-wide gas-grid and this would pave the way for supply of domestic gas at 50 per cent of the price of LPG. Many small industrial units can use the natural gas from the grid as fuel, he said.

Referring to the ONGC refinery project being developed with an outlay of Rs 7,000 crore near Kakinada, and HPCL Greenfield refinery near Visakhapatnam and Vizag Steel Plant expansion plan being undertaken with an investment of Rs 9,000 crore, the State offers immense scope for investment, Dr Reddy said.