KTR: Focus On Economic Not On Politics!

Industries and IT Minister KTR urged the union government to support progressive States such as Telangana over political gains. As a result, he accused the Centre of not offering any support to those who were not politically aligned with it.

Announcing the performance report of the Industries department on Monday, he said PM Modi talks about "Team India" and "Cooperative Federalism", but these terms are just lip service, as not all States receive the same benefits.

As of 2021-22, Telangana's GSDP will grow from Rs 5.05 lakh crore to Rs 11.5 lakh crore. This represents a growth of 123%. Telangana’s per capita income was Rs 1.24 lakh in 2014-15 and has now grown to Rs 2.78 lakh in 2021-22.

“Telangana grew despite demonetisation, pandemic and zero support from the Central government,” KTR said.

As part of its ease of doing business policy, Telangana has set up the International Arbitration and Mediation Center (IAMC) in Hyderabad. In place of providing funds for the new center, the Government of India has set up a competing body in Gujarat and is providing support. Efforts should be directed at developing all States, Rama Rao said.

The Minister reminded that the PM was talking of India becoming a $ 5 trillion economy. “How will it happen if we do not think of scale? We have to work together on this. If Telangana can think of creating the largest pharma manufacturing cluster, the largest textile park and also the largest medical devices park, why cannot the Government of India think of achieving scale,” he said adding that stronger states will mean a stronger country.

India and China about 35 years ago had similar sized GDPs. China today emerged a $ 16 trillion economy as it focused on economic development. It boasted of double digit growth for over 25 years. “India, on the other hand, had its priorities misplaced and we are still a $ 3 trillion economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Telangana through its flagship industrial policy TS-IPASS attracted Rs 17,867 crore investments in 2021-22 through 3,938 new industries and created employment for 96,863 people. Cumulatively, TS-IPASS has attracted 19,454 industries so far in 8 years, investments of Rs 2.32 lakh crore and created employment for 16.4 lakh people.