Impetus to industry

The Telangana government has unveiled a new industrial policy to kick-start industrial growth. The policy is expected to create Doing Business Easy environment to facilitate flow of investment. Its postulates include a chasing cell to avoid red tapism, a red carpet for investors, online processing of applications, quick and transparent clearances, provisioning of infrastructure etc.

Besides a progressive industrial policy, Telangana has many prerequisites for robust industrial growth. The State produces about 33 million tonnes of industrial minerals and 50 to 55 million tonnes of coal and 54 million cubic meters of dimensional stones and building material. The minerals available in Telangana include limestone, coal, iron ore, diamond, dolomite, uranium, garnet, granite, manganese, quartz, etc.

Knowledge-based industries such as IT and IT- enabled services (IT & ITES), pharma and engineering components have a strong presence in Telangana. Hyderabad city is fast emerging as a hub for medical tourism. The city is often described as the bulk drug capital of India. The State has also contributed components to Chandrayan, Mangalyan and production of BMW cars.

But, large industries in IT/ITES, pharma, engineering goods and defence are mainly located in the capital city of Hyderabad. Thus there is an urgent need to disperse the industrial growth to address the problem of regional disparities and avoid haphazard urban growth.

The State also has a good road network connecting Hyderabad to other cities in Telangana, and other States such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, besides a well-connected rail and air network including an international air port. As the State lacks a coast line, the government is planning for a dry port.

The State’s geographical location and matured infrastructure, its climate and cosmopolitanism can render much faster industrial growth. The impressive public sector base acts as sheet anchor for industrial growth. Over 50 central government training and educational establishments, global institutions like ISB, ICRISAT, reputed institutions like IIT, BITS etc., have also enabled the State to emerge as a knowledge hub and Hyderabad a strategic capital city, besides supplying quality manpower.

According to the document ‘Reinventing Telangana Socio Economic Outlook 2014,’ the growth of industrial sector in Telangana has been impressive. During 2004-05 to 2013-14, the State registered an average growth rate of 9.4% per annum as against the national average of 6.9% at constant prices (2004-05).

However, the growth path of the State exhibited more fluctuations than that of all India. Manufacturing sector growth across districts indicates that seven districts other than Medak, Rangareddy and Hyderabad require specific strategies and policy interventions. The growth in sub-sectors indicates a fall in the unregistered manufacturing sector represented by the micro and small enterprises.

The State has to overcome other challenges, too. The quality of skilled manpower needs a significant improvement. Though the power situation is not alarming, the State has to develop infrastructure for meeting future energy needs. Efforts in this direction have begun. They need to be grounded as fast as possible. The grand policy announcements have to be translated into action. Green manufacturing and employment orientation need focus.