AP Cabinet Clears Logistics Infrastructure Corporation, Rs 200-Cr MSME Cluster Programme

Amaravati, Jan 9 (KNN) The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat on Thursday, approved the establishment of the Logistics Infrastructure Holding Corporation. 

Announcing the decisions, Minister for Information and Public Relations Kolusu Parthasarathy said the move was aimed at addressing rising logistics costs in the State. 

The proposed AP Logistics Infrastructure Corporation will bring logistics-related activities under a unified framework, with a focus on reducing costs through coordinated development of roads, inland waterways and sea transport in association with the AP Maritime Board.

Port Sector and Industrial Initiatives

As part of measures to strengthen the port sector, the Cabinet approved the renaming of the captive port at DL Puram in Anakapalli district as M/s AMNS Ports Rajayyapeta Private Limited, a special purpose vehicle of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, TNIE reported.

The Council of Ministers also approved the AP Cluster Development Programme (AP-CDP) with an outlay of Rs 200 crore to support the MSME sector. 

The programme envisages the establishment of 45 Common Facility Centres in MSME parks over the next five years, with an estimated direct employment potential of 7,500 jobs. 

The scheme will prioritise rural areas and enterprises led by women and SC and ST entrepreneurs, in line with the ‘One Family–One Entrepreneur’ initiative.

Fiscal, Infrastructure and Education Decisions

The Cabinet approved major land allotments recommended by the State Investment Promotion Board. It also cleared the withdrawal of the Additional Retail Excise Tax on bars, enabling liquor supplies to wine shops and bars at uniform prices.

A government guarantee was approved for the AP Jal Jeevan Water Supply Corporation to raise Rs 5,000 crore from the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission works. 

Administrative sanction was accorded for Rs 944.53 crore for the procurement and supply of student kits for Classes I to X in government schools.

Judicial, Financial and Higher Education Approvals

Administrative approval was granted for Rs 165.33 crore for the construction of the AP Judicial Academy at Pichikalapalem village in Amaravati, covering civil works, internal electrification, plumbing, infrastructure facilities and internal roads. 

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to enable AP Scheduled Co-operative Finance Corporation Limited to avail a Rs 1,500 crore loan from the AP State Financial Corporation Limited to meet future expenditure requirements. 

(KNN Bureau)