VIJAYAWADA: With an aim to make the State a preferred destination for animation, gaming, virtual reality and comic sectors, the Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi on Monday, approved the Animation Visual Effects Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Policy 2018-2020.
With an objective to attract Rs 6,400 crore investments in the sector by 2020, the government prepared the policy. An animation and gaming city will be developed in 40 acres in Visakhapatnam. The government will provide 25% to 30 % one-time subsidy on capital expenditure for hardware besides extending 24/7 quality power along with dedicated fiber line at the proposed AVGC hub.
One of the main objectives is to bridge the demand and supply gap of human resources and capture a larger share of outsourced work in gaming, animation, media and entertainment sector.
Meanwhile it is learnt that the issue of AgriGold came up for the discussion in the Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet felt that Essel group submitted incorrect data to the Hyderabad High Court claiming liabilities of the scam-hit firm were more than its assets. Sources said the Chief Minister asked the officials to look for an alternative to ensure justice was done to the victims at the earliest. The CM also reportedly directed the officials to consider the option of auctioning the assets of the firm and refunding money to the victims.
Chandranna Pelli Kanuka from April 20
Cabinet gave nod for implementing the Pelli Kanuka scheme from April 20. Around 60,000 families are expected to benefit under the scheme. The government will extend a financial assistance to brides hailing from BPL families at the time of their marriage.
Financial help varies from Rs 20,000 to Rs 75,000 according to socio-economic factors. The government will set up a Centralised IT Enabled Single Desk to ensure transparency in the selection of beneficiaries and distribution of financial assistance.
Other Key Decisions
Exemption of stamp duty and registration fee for PMAY houses being constructed by AP Township and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APTIDCO) in urban areas
The Cabinet also resolved to ratify orders for the establishment of a special court in Vijayawada, for trial of criminal cases related to elected MPs and MLAs of AP, in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court
Cabinet Sub-Committee to supervise 'deeksha' to be observed by CM on April 20
Ministers Kala Venkata Rao, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Kollu Ravindra, N Anand Babu and Nara Lokesh to be members of the committee
Okays the Rs 412-crore project intended to supply water to meet the needs of industries located around Vizag
While, financial assistance to the tune of Rs 150 crore will be provided by GVMC to Greater Visakhapatnam Smart City Corporation Limited, balance amount of Rs 262 crore will be arranged by Andhra Pradesh Urban Infrastructure Asset Management Limited (APUIAML) as a term loan
Nod to allot 40 acres of fully developed land in Visakhapatnam (Rs 32.5 lakh per acre) to Franklin Templeton Investments (FTI) to build its core Investment Management, Data Science, Predictive Analytics and Artificial Intelligence teams and serve as a Centre of Excellence.
The total investment from FTI will be Rs 455 crore, and employment for over 2,500 people will be generated in seven years
In the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme, the contract value of the EPC agency, MEIL Ltd., Hyderabad was increased from Rs 1,551.22 crore to Rs 1,627.04 crore