Page 15 - Andhra Pradesh

Govt says 339 foreign companies registered in India in last 5 years

The government on Tuesday said 339 foreign companies have been registered in the country in the last five years and the registration of such firms has been on the decline since 2020. This year, five foreign companies have been registered -- 1 each in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala and two in Tamil Nadu, official data shared by Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra with the Rajya Sabha showed. Under Section 2 (42) of the Companies Act, 2013, a foreign company means any company or body corporate incorporated outside India, which has a place of business in India whether by itself or through an agent, physically or through electronic mode. "Thus, foreign companies are incorporated outside India and they have a place of business in India. These companies are set up with foreign capital," he said. While 90 foreign companies were set up in 2020, the number came down to 75 in 2021 and 64 in 2022. The count reduced to 57 in 2023 and 53 in 2024. On whether certain foreign ..

JNU prof suspended in bribery scandal: What's the NAAC accreditation case?

JNU professor Rajeev Sijariya has been suspended following his arrest in a bribery case linked to NAAC. The CBI has arrested 10 people for allegedly taking bribes to grant a higher rating

Chandrababu Naidu backs Union Budget, emphasises development over politics

Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday strongly endorsed the Union Budget 2025, saying it reflects the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, while drawing attention to the growing role of technology and state-center cooperation. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, where he was attending the 16th Finance Commission meeting, Naidu articulated a vision that transcended political divisions. "Regarding Andhra Pradesh, we are working with the central government. Some people ask what we have got. We have got everything and I am confident in that (our collaboration with the central government). Always, one should be in the right time, right place, and with right people - then things happen automatically," he said. The veteran politician highlighted four key growth engines - agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports - as crucial elements of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Drawing from his experience in implementing reforms in And

HMPL to invest Rs 2,500 crore in 500 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh

Infra-to-energy player Hazoor Multi Projects Limited (HMPL) has plans to set up a 500 megawatt solar project in Andhra Pradesh at an investment of Rs 2,500 crore. It has already submitted a proposal with the state government to set up the project in Prakasam district over an area of 2,000 acres, as per information shared by the company. The AP government in a communication said New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation (NREDCAP) will facilitate for successful execution of proposed solar park project. The state government has also asked the company to submit its detailed project report (DPR) for the project. HMPL is into renewable energy and building road projects on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis. Last week, the company made a foray into the domestic renewable energy sector with the development of 1.2 GW of clean energy projects spread across 4,200 acres land in Maharashtra.

YSRCP slams Andhra CM for failing to secure state's share in Union Budget

YSRCP's Karthik attributed the failure to a lack of effective political leadership in the state, particularly from the TDP-Jana Sena coalition government and the BJP at the Centre

Bihar appears to have got bonanza, why was Andhra ignored: Cong on Budget

Taking a swipe at the Modi government over its budget announcements, the Congress on Saturday said Bihar appears to have got a bonanza and asked why the other pillar of the NDA, Andhra Pradesh, has been so "cruelly ignored". Bihar remained in focus in the presentation of the Union Budget for the fiscal 2025-26 with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman making several announcements for the state, including setting up of a Makhana Board, financial support for western Kosi canal and support for enhancing capacity of IIT Patna. Presenting her record eighth Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, the finance minister also announced that the Centre will establish a National Institute of Food Technology, entrepreneurship and management in Bihar and also facilitate greenfield airports there to meet the future needs of the state. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Bihar appears to have got a bonanza of announcements. "It is natural since elections are due there late

NHPC, Andhra Pradesh govt partner for 6-8 Gw pumped storage projects

The JV, named ANGEL, has been assigned two PSPs by the Andhra Pradesh government with a total capacity of 2 Gw

Andhra to roll out 'WhatsApp governance' on Jan 30, offering 161 services

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce 'WhatsApp governance' starting Thursday, enabling people to avail themselves of 161 services through the messaging app, obviating the need to make multiple visits to government offices for procuring documents. Officials gave Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu a demonstration on this new programme during a review meeting held at the secretariat on Wednesday. "In the first phase, the government makes 161 services available in this. Officials explained to the CM during the presentation, on how people availing these services will choose their options," said an official press release. Services pertaining to the Endowments, Energy, APSRTC, Revenue, Anna Canteens, CM Relief Fund (CMRF) and Municipal Departments would be provided in the first phase and the second phase is expected to promise more services. Further, the CM directed officials to ensure that people's data doesn't fall into the hands of cyber criminals and called for the ...

AP techie murder verdict: 'I leave it to God', says woman's father

The father of a 23-year-old slained woman software engineer from Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday reacted to the Supreme Court acquitting his daughter's alleged killer, saying he will "leave it to God," and wondering what he can do. The apex court on Tuesday, acquitted Chandrabhan Sudam Sanap, citing "gaping holes" in the prosecution case and observed that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt. Esther Anuhya (23), who had just returned to Mumbai after a two-week Christmas and New Year holiday, was found dead near Kanjur Marg on January 16, 2014. She was employed with TCS in Mumbai and was last seen exiting the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station. Later, the Mumbai Police arrested Sanap for allegedly raping and murdering Anuhya. Following the court trial and conviction, he was awarded a death sentence, which was also upheld by the Bombay High Court. However, on Tuesday, the apex court acquitted Sanap, citing "gaping holes" in the prosecution case. "Wh

Andhra Pradesh govt to develop Data City near Vizag, create 2 mn jobs

In line with the Telugu Desam Party's election promise to create 2 million jobs within five years, the state government has unveiled plans to develop the Data City in Madhurawada

Andhra to unveil 'Demographic Management' policy to tackle effects: Guv

Andhra Pradesh will come out with a policy on 'demographic management' to address the cascading effects of shrinking workforce, aging population, and changing family dynamics, Governor S Abdul Nazeer said on Sunday. After unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the Republic Day at Vijayawada, Nazeer said the state is undergoing significant demographic transitions which include a steep decline in the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), a rapidly aging population, and the erosion of traditional joint family systems, each with far-reaching implications. "The Government is committed to handle the cascading effects of a shrinking workforce, aging population, and changing family dynamics by launching a policy on 'demographic management' to address the cascading effects of shrinking workforce, aging population, and changing family dynamics," he said. Several countries are facing a deleterious impact of declining TFR, and the state government is committed to overcome this crisis, by engagin

Odisha fiscally healthiest; Punjab, AP, WB laggards: NITI Aayog report

Serious concern on debt sustainability in West Bengal, Punjab, says report

YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy to resign from RS on Jan 25, to quit politics

YSRCP Rajya Sabha member V Vijayasai Reddy on Friday said he will be resigning from his parliament membership on January 25. In a post on 'X', he said he is not joining any other party and also quitting politics. "I am quitting politics. I am resigning from the Rajya Sabha membership tomorrow, ( January) 25th . I will not join any political party. I am not resigning hoping for any position, benefits, or money. This decision is completely my personal one. There was no pressure. No one influenced me," he said in the post. Reddy is currently serving his second term as Rajya Sabha member from YSRCP from Andhra Pradesh. He is one of the key figures in former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party in the state.

BPCL's new Andhra refinery to cost Rs 950 bn, India's most expensive ever

State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd's (BPCL) proposed 9 million tonnes a year oil refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Andhra Pradesh is likely to cost around Rs 95,000 crore, its Director (Finance) Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta said. This will be India's costliest refinery project so far. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) will this year commission a similar size unit at Barmer in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs 71,814 crore. In Modi government's first term, a mega 60 million tonnes oil refinery and petrochemical complex was proposed at Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 3 lakh crore but the project hasn't seen the light of the day because of land acquisition issues. In an investor call with analysts post announcement of third quarter earnings, Gupta said the BPCL board last month approved an expenditure of Rs 6,100 crore on pre-project activities such as land acquisition and commissioning of detailed project report (DPR) and certain feedstock studies. "Roughly

Andhra CM meets Bill Gates at WEF, discusses ties in health, education

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday met Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum in Davos and discussed fostering partnerships to transform the state into a global healthcare, education and innovation hub, an official release said. The two deliberated on establishing a centre of excellence for health innovation and diagnostics in the southern state to offer cutting-edge services. "I am delighted to meet Bill Gates again after a long time... His focus on technology and innovation has been an inspiration to all. We discussed opportunities for collaboration in health and AI innovation, and I look forward to BMGF's (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) partnership in Andhra Pradesh's progress," the release quoted Naidu as saying. Emphasising that Andhra Pradesh is committed to leveraging innovation to improve public health outcomes, the CM invited Gates to join the advisory board of a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) university in the ...

Andhra CM to meet Bill Gates, several global executives in Switzerland

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to meet Microsoft founder Bill Gates and several other global executives in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, officials said. On the third day of his visit to the Swiss resort town, the Chief Minister will also meet the officials from the World Economic Forum (WEF), they added. "The chiefs of Unilever, DP World Group, Petronas, Google Cloud, Pepsi and AstraZeneca are going to meet the CM. The CM will also hold discussions with Bill Gates and WEF representatives," a press release said. Moreover, Andhra Pradesh is expected to ink an agreement with renewable energy player Greenko and the CM is scheduled to attend roundtable conferences on topics such as organic farming, human mission calibration and green hydrogen, and renewable power, the release added. The CM will promote 'Brand Andhra' and showcase investment opportunities in the state, it said. Earlier, addressing a roundtable discussion on 'Building the Next Petrochem

PM Modi right leader at right time, he will take country to top: CM Naidu

India has got the right leader at the right time in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he will take the country to the top across various economic and social parameters, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Tuesday. Speaking at the launch of an economic taskforce on 'Swarna Andhra by 2047', he said his state has huge growth potential and is progressing on the right path. "Indians are the most accepted community globally and it will continue in future," he said at the event organised by industry body CII. "We are having the right leader at the right time in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has absolute clarity on reforms and policy framework for the country going ahead. "I'm fully confident that India will become a developed nation by 2047, and reach the number one or two spot in various areas," he said. India is the only country that has the advantage of democratic dividend for the next 20-25 years, he said. Naidu pitched moving forward from PPP model to P4 mod

Andhra Pradesh to soon offer birth, death certificates through WhatsApp

The Andhra Pradesh government will soon offer birth and death certificates through WhatsApp as part of its "WhatsApp governance services", Chief Secretary K Vijayanand said on Monday. The pilot project for the service will be conducted in Tenali this month to explore the process. "The state government will soon provide WhatsApp governance services to the people, in line with the objectives of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. As part of this, people will soon be able to obtain birth and death certificates via WhatsApp," Vijayanand said in a release. A review meeting on the process was held on Monday at the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) office with officials from various departments. Vijayanand emphasised that the chief minister aimed to make government services more accessible and convenient by introducing WhatsApp governance. He urged officials of the RTGS and the departments concerned to expedite the process. He also instructed the Panchayati Raj, health, and the munici

Young Indian leaders dominate WEF 2025, Andhra, Telangana lead delegations

In 1999, World Link, a magazine published by the WEF, included Naidu, then chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, in its global "dream cabinet"

JD Vance gets a message from wife Usha's grandaunt ahead of inauguration

Ahead of his inauguration, US Vice President-elect JD Vance got a message from the 96-year-old grandaunt of his wife Usha, who congratulated the couple on their new role