Andhra Pradesh Set To Develop IT Hub At Vizag
Andhra Pradesh is looking to reinforce its IT industry further. The state’s IT policy 2014-2020, that provides for development of IT hub in Vizag, was approved by the state cabinet recently, chaired by CM Chandrababu Naidu.
The cabinet has also approved the development of metro rail project in this coastal city. IT minister P Raghunath Reddy said, “IT hubs would be created at Vijayawada, Kakinada, Tirupati and Anantpur with walk to work and cycle to work concepts.”
Describing this project as one of the most progressive and investor friendly policy, the minister said that the focus would be on improvement of quality technical education to meet industry standards. Government also has plans to develop IT towers, IT parks and IT zones under PPP(Private Public Partnership).
Government has proposed to develop ITIRs (Information Technology and Investment Regions) in Vizag and Tirupati initially. The Tirupati-Anantpur corridor will be later proposed. This mega project is expected to create employment opportunities for 5,000 and more in five years and policy also offered a refund on cost of the land at $981 per employee.
Other IT projects will get a rebate of $654 per employee and those setting up operations on leased land will receive a rental financial support of $0.16 per square foot per month for three years.
A highly empowered single window clearance is proposed for granting approvals and clearances with central help desk on 24X7 basis to reduce time and cost of setting up the business. A rule has been proposed that if required approvals are not granted within four weeks of receipt of an application in full shape, the approval shall be deemed given.
Government also exempted IT industry from labour Laws and Shops and Establishment Act and declared service under indispensable services maintenance Act. IT industry has been exempted these lands from power cuts and IT industrial areas/IT layouts/ITIR will be declared as IALA (Industrial Area Local Authority).
Micro and small industry would get power subsidy of 25 per cent while SC/ST and women entrepreneurs would get 50 per cent subsidy. They will also receive 50 percent reimbursement of exhibition stall rental as market development assistance and recruitment at $327 per employee within a period of 2 years. All turnkey projects up to $818,130 to be undertaken by the government will be reserved for MSMEs registered and operating in Andhra Pradesh.
