Both Telugu States are doing well in development: Governor

Hyderabad : Delegation of American industry who came to Hyderabad to attend the just concluded 'Global Entrepreneurship Summit', called on the Governor at Raj Bhavan on Friday.

Speaking to the members of the delegation, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said that both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are young and happening States and both are at the forefront in development with people-centric approach and committed to provide basic human necessities to people. Governor said that both States are giving top priority to Irrigation, Energy, Health, Education and Industrial development with investment-friendly approach.

The Governor cited the example of Mission Bhageeratha taken up by the Telangana government to provide potable drinking water at every doorstep and rejuvenation of water bodies and increasing the ground water table through implementation of Mission Kakatiya. Governor said Andhra Pradesh also launched similar projects as agriculture is the main source of economy in both the States. He said that power is another top priority for both the States and said that the States are ready to provide 24 hours uninterrupted power supply to industry and agriculture. Governor cited the example of Raj Bhavan at Hyderabad being the first in the country to go completely for solar based power supply.

Narasimhan said that both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are giving major thrust to the Infrastructure development with better road connectivity and motorable roads and cited the Inland waterways project taken up in AP by the Central government for transportation from Harbour to hinterland. He also said about the World class International Airport at Hyderabad and the proposal to development similar Airports at Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and new International Airports proposed at Amaravathi and Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

The Governor also mentioned about the Pattiseema river-linking project to avoid wastage of water going to the sea. He also mentioned about communication development with Fibre to Home project to provide Internet at every doorstep.

Narasimhan further mentioned about the priority given by the Governments to affordable Health care and improving infrastructure at Government hospitals. Governor explained about the measures taken by the Telangana government with emphasis on institutional deliveries, bringing down the infant mortality rate, distribution of Health kits to expectant mothers, wage compensation and distribution of child care kits, immunisation monitoring programme etc.

The Governor explained to the members of the US delegation on how corruption in both States has come down with implementation of industry-friendly programmes such as TS-iPASS in Telangana and use of technology through eProcurement and Command Control Centre in A.P. and interface with men being replaced with machines. He also said about the healthy competition between both the States in the 'Ease of doing business' rankings. He said that Amaravathi capital city once completed will become a World class city.

Replying to a query by a member of the delegation on women safety, the Governor said that the women safety is top priority by the Telangana government with the implementation of SHE teams project which ensures crime prevention and immediate redress of grievance.

The Governor said that his focus is on happiness quotient of the people of both the States rather than numbers and said that he is confident that both the States will reach top of the ladder in the country in the next five years.