KADAPA: The State government is likely to reconsider its decision on relocating the second MSME Technology centre from Kopparthi SEZ (Special Economic Zone) to Amaravati.
The development comes after an order, issued on September 24 by Industries Department Secretary N Yuvraj (GO No. 56) regarding the relocation, triggered protests in the district with locals demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Speaking to TNIE, an official of the Industries Department said orders issued for allocation of 20 acres under the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) will be withdrawn soon.
The official added that establishing another MSME technology centre in Amaravati is also a possibility. Pointing out that there are seven MSME Technology Centres in Uttar Pradesh and more than two centres in some other States, the official explained that more such centres can be established in Andhra Pradesh as well.
On Thursday night (September 26), Kadapa MLA R Madhavi Reddy and her husband R Srinivasulu Reddy, a TDP politburo member, met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and requested him not to shift the MSME Technology Centre from Kopparthi. It has been learnt that Naidu responded positively to their request.
The MSME Technology Centre in Kopparthi, set up with a budget of Rs 250 crore and spread over 19.5 acres, aimed at serving the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and unemployed youth in the region. It was expected to boost local development, provide skills and employment opportunities to local youth.
Move to shift MSME centre draws resistance
However, the decision to relocate the MSME centre to Amaravati was met with severe criticism from locals and political leaders alike. YSRC district president P Ravindranath Reddy highlighted that the allocation of land and the establishment of industries in Kopparthi were key achievements of former Chief Ministers YS Rajasekhara Reddy and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He criticised the relocation and accused Naidu of thwarting progress in the district due to political motives.
Condemning the government’s decision, leaders of the CPI district unit organised a protest and burnt copies of the GO at Kotireddy circle in Kadapa on Thursday.
CPI district secretary G Chandra and city secretary N Venkata Siva termed the government decision unjust. They threatened to intensify their protest, if the government does not withdraw the GO.
Locals stressed that the decision to relocate the MSME centre from Kopparthi to Amaravati would be a setback for the region, which already has been struggling with drought and limited employment opportunities.
K Pratap Reddy, who runs a unit for making paper plates, opined that shifting the MSME centre from Kopparthi to Amaravati was not right. “The MSME centre would not have just helped in guiding aspiring entrepreneurs, but also provide skill development training to job seekers. It is a boon for unemployed youth in the region. Shifting it to Amaravati will be grave injustice to them,” he rued. He suggested that the government could establish another centre in Amaravati instead of relocating the existing one in Kopparthi.