Industries leaving Andhra Pradesh over extortion fears, alleges YSRCP

YSRCP spokesperson Putta Sivashankar Reddy alleged that industries were leaving Andhra Pradesh due to harassment and extortion demands by coalition leaders. He cited Tata Power and Websol projects shifting states and questioned the government’s claims of attracting investments and creating jobs

Tadepalli (Andhra Pradesh): YSRCP spokesperson Putta Sivasankar Reddy on Saturday alleged that industries are being driven out of Andhra Pradesh due to harassment and extortion demands by coalition leaders.

Addressing a press conference at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli, he said the industrial sector has plunged into crisis after the coalition government assumed power, with even existing investors choosing to leave the State.

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Sivashankar cited specific examples of major projects that shifted elsewhere. The Rs 6,675-crore Tata Power project proposed in Nellore moved to Odisha, while the Rs 3,538-crore Websol project planned at Naidupeta relocated to West Bengal.

He demanded that the government explain the reasons behind these exits and challenged its claims of attracting Rs 24 lakh crore in investments and creating 20 lakh jobs. He urged the administration to place complete details of the projects and beneficiaries in the public domain. If full disclosure of 20 lakh jobs is not possible, the government should at least provide details of 10 per cent of them, he said.

The spokesperson further alleged that the government had taken back land allotted during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure to Coca-Cola in Anakapalli and Azad Mobility in Sri Sathya Sai district. Land linked to the GINFRA and Jupiter projects was also cancelled, adversely affecting employment opportunities, he claimed.

Sivashankar said cement and thermal industries across Rayalaseema are facing intense pressure from coalition leaders seeking transport, ash and other contracts. Companies such as UltraTech, Dalmia, Vicat, Srichakra and Bharathi Cements are being subjected to repeated interference and intimidation, he alleged.

The YSRCP leader pointed out that Andhra Pradesh, which ranked No 1 in Ease of Doing Business during YS Jagan’s tenure, even through the Covid period, has now slipped to the eighth position. Sivashankar also criticised the government for celebrating an ASSOCHAM award given to APMDC after raising Rs 9,000 crore by leveraging the State’s mineral wealth, describing it as corporate lobbying rather than a genuine achievement.

Sivashankar maintained that the current atmosphere of fear and interference is forcing industries to look for more stable destinations outside Andhra Pradesh.