Amaravathi, May 11 (KNN) In a bid to encourage the food processing sector in the state comprising for a fair share of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Nadu reiterated the need to facilitate growth in food processing sector.

Speaking on the need to push for further development of Food Processing industry, the Chief Minister said, “Every department needs to take a holistic approach on prosperity. I am happy that there has been a great development in Food processing but we are growing at only 10% but we need to aim for 25 %.”

The CM made the following remarks during a review meeting on the various ongoing projects.

Girija Shankar, Secretary (Food Processing) informed the Chief Minister on various achievements and targets for the Food Processing depart. He informed the Chief Minister that 2 Food Processing parks assisted by AP are ready for inauguration while one is under construction.

Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) is setting up a technology cum business centre, the Chief Minister was informed.

In a presentation to the Chief Minister, Secretary (Industries & Commerce) Solomon Arokiaraj told the Chief Minister that Industries in Andhra Pradesh registered a tremendous growth rate of 8.49% as compared to the national growth rate of 4.4%.

The Chief Minister was also told that till now the state has been successful in attracting 2850 projects which are worth Rs. 15,83,563 crores and would generate employment to 36,51,216 people.

Additionally, MSMEs made a contribution of 80% towards employment and contributed 34% towards GSDP.

The Chief Minister was also briefed on the major business development needs of MSMEs which primarily were- credit, turnover, exports, quality, certification and e- commerce.

During the meeting CRDA commissioner Sridhar Cherukuri presented the status of projects and goals for Amaravati which is to be one of the top 3 happy cities in the world encompassing highest standards of liveability and infrastructure with a thriving economic environment.

He mentioned the key achievements of Amaravati which included largest ever successful voluntary land pooling; fastest completing on people centric city planning and enrolment of 1,000 students in the first year of the establishment of SRM & VIT Universities.

The Chief Minister was also briefed on the details of road ahead for Amaravati which included providing 80% public transportation, 3200 kilometres of cycle tracks and walk to work facilities within 15 minutes for its residents.

Department of Road & Buildings, Neerabh Kumar Prasad, Principal Secretary (R&B) presented the Chief Minister on some critical areas and developments.

The Chief Minister was briefed on the goals of R&B department which include all national highways in the state having minimum two lanes with paved shoulders and to have 100% pothole free roads and providing no scope for water stagnation which can be achieved by giving out long term performance based contracts.

Out of the 13 districts, Kadapa, Chittoor and Kurnool were able to have their state highways 100% pothole free.

Directing the Collectors to keep a regular check on road developments, the Chief Minister said, “Prior to monsoon all the works related to state highways must be completed. You need to work it out with the contractors and also conduct surprise inspection frequently.”

B. Sridhar, Secretary (Mines & Geology) in his presentation informed the Chief Minister that Mines & Geology department surpassed its expectations and achieved a 109% growth above the target.

Dept. of Mines & Geology had conducted multiple workshops to appraise the existing lease holders about EC requirements. Further, EC is also mandatory for grant of new leases, the Chief Minister was informed.

“Mining and sand policy has a satisfaction level of 86%. You need to go for value addition in this aspect”, said the Chief Minister to the department officials. (By Manne Srinivas Rao)