Budget is growth-oriented and inclusive: CII AP

Hyderabad Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Andhra Pradesh Chapter has welcomed the budget proposal introduced by Buggana Rajendranath, Finance Minister, Andhra Pradesh, recently.

"The Finance Minister recognised small and medium industries as the foundation of livelihood and are central to the realisation of the sustainable development goals. The State has improved exports performance from rank 7 in 2019-20 to rank 4 in 2020-21 with an increase in exports to $16.8 billion in 2020-21, a growth of 13.8 per cent compared to the previous year. This is because of State government's proactive approach to ensure business continuity during covid 2nd and 3rd waves," Neeraj Sarda, Chairman, CII Andhra Pradesh, said.

The budget has given adequate thrust to air connectivity development in the State. Industry appreciates Government move to enter into a concession agreement for the development of Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport under Public Private partnership mode.

The Government proposal to start scheduled flight operation between Chennai-Kadapa-Vijayawada is a welcome move, the industry feels. Further, the proposal to develop Airport City in 541 acres near Kurnool airport with facilities such as, aero sports, MRO would boost the aviation infrastructure, he felt.

The major road projects including Andhra Pradesh Mandal Connectivity and Rural Connectivity Improvement Project and AP Roads and Bridges Reconstruction Project with a cost of Rs 6,400 crore to provide double lane connectivity from district to mandal headquarters would improve the supply chain network in the State, he added.

Four new proposed ITIs exclusively for minorities at Rayachoti, Adoni, Chagalamarri, and Narasaraopet would help in building required skills among youth for industries, he felt.

The government has embraced four-pillar approach to build the State's development and growth foundations. CII AP is committed to continuously promoting State as best investment destination for creating greater employment opportunities.

The budget has given greater impetus to farm mechanisation. Government proposed to establish 10,750 custom hiring centres (CHCs) at every Rythu Bharosa Kendra to provide access to agriculture machinery to small and marginal farmers on hiring mode without any investment and maintenance burden is a welcome measure, he felt.