VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet approved the AP Drone Policy 2024-29, Data Centre Policy 4.0, and AP Semiconductor Fab Policy 4.0 during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday.
As part of the Drone Policy, the State government has proposed to set up a training institute for drone pilots and developing Kurnool district as a drone manufacturing hub. The policy envisages an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, revenue of Rs 3,000 crore, and the creation of 15,000 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs. Additionally, the Cabinet decided to repeal the AP Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 1982 and bring a new law in its place.
Briefing media on the decisions, Minister for Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Kolusu Parthasarathi said the State is moving fast towards transforming into a drone hub. The decision to set up a Drone Development Centre in Kurnool is to achieve this goal.
Expressing confidence that the policy, adopted by the Cabinet, will enable the establishment of at least 100 drone manufacturing units in the State, he said the move will result in the setting up of 20 drone pilot training centres and 50 skill development centres across the State.
On the Data Centre Policy, he said, the initiative aims at adding an additional 200 megawatts of data and attracting investments for setting up latest data centres with Artificial Intelligence (AI). “The Council of Ministers also approved the Andhra Pradesh Semiconductor Fab policy which will be in force between 2024 and 2029,” he added.
New bill to protect landowners’ interests
“The Centre will extend 50% subsidy in a phased manner while the State government, too, will provide an additional 30% subsidy,” he added. Pointing out that several semiconductor companies from the United States and Europe have established their units in States like Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Parthasarathi expressed confidence AP too will be getting investments.
Elaborating on the Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill-2024, he said, “We are formulating the 1982 legislation to severely punish those who resort to land grabbing.”
Since the new government took over, 80% of the complaints received by the Revenue Department were on land related issues. Revenue Minister Anagani Satyaprasad alleged that under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government, land grabbers were given a free hand. “We are set to change all that and safeguard the lands belonging to their rightful owners. Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill-2024 will be a milestone in the annals of State,” he remarked.
The Minister observed that as the value of the lands in the State increased, land grabbers and encroachers have also increased. “Protecting the interests of the rightful landowners is our topmost priority. This was clear from the repealing of the Land Titling Act brought in by Jagan to loot public property. Henceforth, under the new act, land grabbers will be sentenced to 10-14 years of imprisonment and a fine of the value of land grabbed, besides compensating the owner,” he said.
The new Act was drafted after studying existing laws in Gujarat and Karnataka. Further, the provisions of the new Act will protect government lands. The Cabinet also approved the decision to clear Rs 331 crore dues to the contractors who executed 4.45 lakh works in the State.
Other Cabinet decisions
Nod to increase retirement age of judicial officers, covered under
AP Public Employment (Regulation of Age of Superannuation) Act-1984, from 60 years to 61 effective from Nov 1
Draft bills to amend AP Goods and Services Act-2017, Prohibition (Amendment) Ordinance-2024, and ordinance on Regulation on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor-2024 approved
Proposal to revive Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA) in Chittoor district and formation of Pithapuram Area Development Authority (PADA) with Pithapuram as headquarters cleared
Construction of outer ring road and bypass roads in Amaravati & Vijayawada East okayed
Proposal to bring Sattenapalli Municipality, 92 villages in Palnadu & 62 villages in Bapatla under the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) limits cleared
Nod for upgrading Pithapuram CHC to 100-bed hospital
