Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Andhra Pradesh is working to make it easier and faster for companies to set up businesses in the state, with the government focusing on quicker approvals, easier processes and closer monitoring of projects.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave – South 2026, TG Bharath, Minister of Industries and Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, said the state was using faster approval mechanisms to ensure that investors do not lose time waiting for clearances. He said the government was also trying to build greater confidence among businesses looking at Andhra Pradesh.
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FASTER APPROVALS FOR INVESTORS
Bharath said the state has introduced virtual meetings of its investment promotion bodies and the cabinet to speed up decisions on projects. These mechanisms can be used when an investment needs a quick decision, particularly when companies are also considering other states or countries.
He explained that once a detailed project report is ready and has gone through the required checks, the approval process can be completed quickly. The government is also tracking projects after they receive approval to ensure that investments move from the announcement stage to actual implementation.
Bharath said the state is also working to reduce delays in project execution. Officials and senior government representatives are part of monitoring groups where the progress of approved projects is regularly reviewed. Any delay is flagged and followed up with the concerned department.
LAND INCENTIVES LINKED TO COMMITMENTS
The minister also explained how the state is handling its policy of offering land at a nominal price to certain large companies. He said eligible companies first enter into a sale agreement and are required to meet their investment and employment commitments.
The land is converted into a sale deed only after the agreed conditions are fulfilled. If a company fails to meet the commitments within the stipulated period, the government can cancel the agreement. The policy is therefore linked to actual investment and job creation rather than being an unconditional transfer of land.
Bharath said Andhra Pradesh is also taking a cluster-based approach to industrial development. The focus includes sectors such as solar manufacturing, drones, automobiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and toys. The state is also planning MSME parks across constituencies to encourage smaller businesses and local industrial activity.
FOCUS ON LOCAL SKILLS AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE
The state is working with industries to understand the skills they require and link those requirements with nearby colleges and educational institutions. The aim is to help local students gain skills that match the needs of companies setting up in their areas.
For startups, the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub is being developed as a support system that provides hand holding from the project planning stage until the business becomes operational.
Bharath said the government is also working on an escrow-based system for incentives, with the aim of reducing manual intervention. Project clearances and files are being monitored digitally so that delays can be identified and followed up.
Asked why investors should choose Andhra Pradesh, Bharath pointed to the credibility of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his record in developing Hyderabad. He said this credibility, along with the state’s policies, incentives, proposed escrow mechanism and focus on faster approvals, could help attract more investment to Andhra Pradesh.
The state is also expanding broadband connectivity to villages, which Bharath said could support people looking to work or run businesses from smaller towns and rural areas.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
