Chamber urges Niramala Sitharaman to ensure early completion of projects in A.P.
The Hindu
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded favourably to the appeals of AP Chamber of Commerce & Industry Federation for key projects in the State. Issues such as air connectivity, Vande Bharat sleeper trains, food processing sector, GST on naturally dried chillies, Oil Palm Board, bulk drug park, TCS on overseas travel discussed.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has responded favourably to the appeals made by the members of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of of Commerce and Industry Federation, who submitted a representation to her on the key projects pending implementation in different parts of the State.
Along with BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, the federation members including its president Potluri Bhaskar Rao and general secretary B. Rajasekhar, met Ms. Sitharaman at a hotel in Vijayawada on October 23 (Monday) and brought to her notice pending projects that need immediate attention. BJP State president D. Purandeswari was also present.
The members drew the Minister’s attention to the need for early completion of the six industrial nodes proposed in the three industrial corridors, rapid completion of the three multi-model integrated logistics parks proposed for the State and effective measures to support development of port-led economy.
They requested the Centre’s permission for “one-time restructuring of bank term loans to the MSMEs,” with simple terms, to simplify the credit rating and CIBIL scores of the MSMEs, address the issue of delayed payments and the mandatory procurement for MSMEs, etc.
A statement issued by the Chambers said the Minister responded favourably to their pleas.
Referring to a plea for restoration and increase in domestic and international air connectivity from Vijayawada and a provision for cargo facilities with cold storage facilities at all the airports across the State, they said that Ms. Sitharaman agreed to find a solution to Visakhapatnam airport runway resurfacing issue without disturbing the flight schedules.
The members also requested the Union Finance Minister for the introduction of the proposed Vande Bharat sleeper trains from Vijayawada to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc., as there was no long-distance trains originating from Vijayawada.