VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved the AP Drone Policy 2024-29, Data Centre Policy 4.0, and AP Semiconductor Fab Policy 4.0 during a meeting on Wednesday.
Under the Drone Policy, the State government plans to establish a training institute for drone pilots and develop Kurnool district into a drone manufacturing hub. The policy aims for an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, a revenue of Rs 3,000 crore, and the creation of 15,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs. Additionally, the Cabinet decided to repeal the AP Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 1982, and introduce a new law to protect landowners’ interests.
Minister for Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Kolusu Parthasarathi briefed the media on the government’s plans to turn the state into a drone hub, including setting up a Drone Development Centre in Kurnool. The policy is expected to lead to the establishment of at least 100 drone manufacturing units, 20 drone pilot training centres, and 50 skill development centres across the state.
The Data Centre Policy aims to add an additional 200 megawatts of data capacity and attract investment in the latest data centres featuring Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Andhra Pradesh Semiconductor Fab Policy, effective between 2024 and 2029, is also part of the state’s efforts to boost its semiconductor industry. The government has announced that the Centre will provide a 50% subsidy in a phased manner, with the state offering an additional 30% subsidy.
Regarding the Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill-2024, the government aims to punish land grabbers severely. Revenue Minister Anagani Satyaprasad noted that land grabbing has been a major issue under the previous government. The new law will ensure land grabbers face 10-14 years of imprisonment, a fine equivalent to the value of the land grabbed, and compensation to the rightful landowner. The law was drafted after reviewing similar legislation in Gujarat and Karnataka.
The Cabinet also approved clearing Rs 331 crore in dues to contractors who have completed 4.45 lakh works in the state. Other decisions included increasing the retirement age for judicial officers from 60 to 61 years, effective November 1, and the approval of several draft bills, including amendments to the AP Goods and Services Act-2017 and new regulations for Indian-Made Foreign Liquor.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the formation of the Pithapuram Area Development Authority (PADA) and the revival of the Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA). Proposals for the construction of an outer ring road and bypass roads in Amaravati and Vijayawada East were also cleared. Furthermore, it was decided to bring Sattenapalli Municipality, 92 villages in Palnadu, and 62 villages in Bapatla under the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) limits. The Cabinet also gave the go-ahead to upgrade Pithapuram CHC to a 100-bed hospital.
