VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat on Tuesday, decided to establish a new Science, Technology and Innovation Department.
It was also decided to rename the existing Environment, Forest, Science and Technology Department as the Environment and Forest Department.
A non-cadre domain expert in science, technology and innovation will be appointed as the secretary of the new department. The intention of the government in setting up the new department is to promote science, technology and innovation in a big way.
The Cabinet also gave its nod to restructure Higher Education and Skill Development & Training Departments. Besides clearing the approvals given by the State Investment Promotion Board meeting held on February 18, the Cabinet gave its nod to several proposals related to the allotment of land to various institutions particularly to renewable energy projects. The Cabinet approved the Andhra Pradesh Sick and Stressed MSME Revival Policy (4.0) 2026-31.
The proposal of Advanced System in Package Technologies Private Limited to set up Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test Facility at Tarluvada village in Visakhapatnam district with an investment of `2,387.81 crore was cleared, besides allotment of 30 acres of land and provision of special incentives for it under the Andhra Pradesh Semiconductor and Display Fab Policy (4.0) 2024-29. The unit has a potential to create 1,000 jobs.
The Cabinet approved the provision of incentives to Acacia Hotels and Resorts Private Limited for setting up ‘Malaxmi One’ Integrated Ultra-Mega Tourism & Hospitality Project at Amaravati under Double Tree by Hilton brand, and incentives to Veeranjaneya Hospitality for construction of 3-star hotel at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam under own V Hotel brand.
Luxury hotel at Rushikonda gets Cabinet nod
Provision of incentives to Akshaya Hotels and Resorts for the development of 4-star Resort at Chirala Beach under Lemon Tree Resort brand was also approved.
It was also decided to provide incentives to Rushikonda Beach Resorts Private Limited for the development of luxury hospitality project at Rushikonda under Westin brand. Allotment of land and provision of incentives to Eco-Isle Resorts, Consortium of Divyasree Holdings Pvt Ltd, Cybercity Builders & Developers Pvt Ltd, KPC Projects Limited and SVS Constructions for hospitality projects were also cleared.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal to consult the Central Empowered Committee in New Delhi to take steps with regard to the rationalisation of the boundaries of Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary as per the recommendations made by the 48th National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
A decision was taken to drop disciplinary action against some Forest Department officials, and criminal prosecution of some Water Resource Department Engineers.