Chandrababu Naidu envisions AP as an 'innovation valley'

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], Feb 28 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu shed light on his vision to see the state as an "innovation valley".

Naidu, while speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday said Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani would develop an innovation center in the state.

"After the recently concluded CII Summit at Visakhapatnam, we felt the need to transform Andhra Pradesh into the land of innovation, as in this fourth industrial revolution, knowledge plays a key role. Internet of Things is the future. If one can use knowledge and mix up with IoT, he/she can go to any extent. After the summit, everybody is convinced that AP is the best place for innovation. Like silicon valley for IT, AP will be the innovation valley," he said.

Talking about the developments made for tourism in the state, Naidu said the proposed ecosystem to be created by Lulu Group will cater to international standards, thereby promoting tourism in Visakhapatnam.

Naidu, who completed 40 years of participation in politics, urged that the government must continue to work hard in making significant strides for the development of the state.

"The CII Summit yielded Rs. 4.4 lakh crores of investments. However, we should not leave our efforts. We have to keep working until our goals are fulfilled," he said.

The Chief minister also highlighted the obvious parity between state and central funding, adding that the state must be given its dues and support by the Centre.

"It is the Centre's responsibility to fund the state for our development. We have to mount pressure on the Centre so that state interests are not affected. We spent Rs. 35,000 crores for infrastructure in Amaravati, while the government allocated Rs. 2500 crores. This is the vast difference between central and state funding. In India, we have all the resources, but need to work much harder to achieve good growth rates," he said.

Naidu also clarified that his party- Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will not sever their alliance and break their "mitra dharma" with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state until the latter initiates to do so. (ANI)