Andhra Pradesh has positioned itself as the national ambassador for the Speed of Doing Business (SoDB), according to state IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh. He attributed this achievement and the massive inflow of investments to the strong brand image of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the government's transparent policies.
Telugu Diaspora Hailed as 'Most Reliable Indians'
Addressing a large gathering of Telugu Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) at the Curtis Culwell Center in Texas, USA, Minister Lokesh expressed profound gratitude for their unwavering support. He recalled the solidarity shown by the overseas community when CM Naidu was arrested during his time in opposition, stating that their heartfelt support became a moral force for the party.
Lokesh said that while people commonly refer to them as NRIs, he considers them 'Most Reliable Indians' (MRIs). He credited their crucial contributions for the NDA coalition's spectacular victory of securing 164 out of 175 Assembly seats in the state. He framed this as a defining moment where the public responded to the previous government's 'Why Not 175?' boast with a resounding 'Why Not 11?', effectively turning the political tide.
Decentralized Growth and Massive Investment Inflow
Elaborating on the state's economic vision, Lokesh stated that Andhra Pradesh has become the brand ambassador for speed in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The government is implementing a decentralized growth model to ensure balanced development across all regions:
- Anantapur: Automotive hub
- Kurnool: Renewable energy focus
- Chittoor & Kadapa: Electronics manufacturing
- Nellore: Solar and diversified industries
- Prakasam: CBG and green fuels
- Krishna–Guntur: Quantum technology and capital region projects
- Godavari Districts: Aquaculture and exports
- North Andhra: IT, pharma, medical devices, and ArcelorMittal-backed steel development
The minister revealed that job creation is the core mission of the NDA administration, with a target of generating 20 lakh jobs in five years. In a significant claim, he said the government has already attracted investments worth Rs 20 lakh crore in just 17 months, with the potential to create 16 lakh jobs, and efforts are on to ground these projects swiftly.
Governance Continuity and Support Schemes Promised
Lokesh assured the diaspora that the NDA government is committed to continuity and aims to steer Andhra Pradesh for at least 15 years to ensure stability and long-term development. He announced several initiatives aimed at supporting the Telugu community:
The 'Kalalaku Rekkalu' scheme will assist students traveling abroad for studies. The Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu (AP NRT) initiative will protect Telugu families during social, financial, or legal distress. To foster innovation, the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub and new tech parks will be established to enable local entrepreneurs to become job creators.
He also condemned the previous government for alleged insults to women in the Assembly, assuring that accountability would be ensured without political vendetta.
The event was attended by key figures including AP Government Advisor (NRI Affairs) and AP NRTS President Vemuru Ravikumar, NRI TDP USA Coordinator Komati Jayaram, Garland Mayor Dylan Hedrick, and a large number of Telugu people from across Texas and the United States.
