Software technology parks for 3 more cities

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, DEC. 21. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, has said that the State Government is contemplating constructing software technology parks (STPs) and hi-tech parks in Vijayawada, Warangal and Tirupati on the lines of HITECH City in Hyderabad. The hi-tech city in Visakhapatnam is ready for inauguration.

Talking to presspersons here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that the STP in Vijayawada, for which he laid the foundation stone earlier, would be completed within six months.

Mr. Naidu said that the Government was seriously considering handing over of the administration of the University General Hospital (UGH) by delinking it from the administrative control of NTR Health University to the management of Kanakadurga temple. Stating that the hospital was not living up to popular expectations, he pointed out that the Government was working out the modalities of handing over the hospital to the temple trust on the similar lines of handing over of the management of Ramnarayan Ruya Hospital to the Tirumala Tirupati Devsathanams (TTD) in Tirupati. Asked whether there was any move to construct a super-speciality hospital in Vijayawada in the public sector, he said that the Government could not afford the huge expenditure involved in it. Therefore, a super-speciality hospital would be encouraged in the private sector.

To a query whether the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would withdraw support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre, Mr. Naidu said: ``You (the press) want politics. I want development. I talk politics only during elections. If I have some time to spare, I would utilise it in educating you to concentrate on development journalism.'' The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was committed to the uplift of the State. ``I would not compromise on protecting the interests of the State. People reposed unflinching trust in the TDP that it would protect the Telugu pride. We are committed to protecting the integrity of our party. You all have been seeing for yourselves how we are fighting for the benefit of the farmers of the State. If any injustice is meted out to the State, we will continue our fight within and outside Parliament. The Union Government must stick to the NDA agenda,'' said Mr. Naidu.

Referring to the paddy procurement, the Chief Minister said that the Government of India had already issued a GO recognising ``Swarna Masuri'' as grade ``A'' variety and allowed 13 per cent of add mixture. Farmers should not resort to distress sale. If they could not realise at least Rs. 540 per quintal of ``A'' grade rice and Rs. 510 per quintal of common variety, they should immediately complain to the administration. To a query on the State Government's purchase of 70 per cent of paddy, keeping in view the purchase of 30 per cent of stocks by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Mr. Naidu clarified that the Government had already asked Collectors of all districts to open as many counters required for the purchase as possible and ensure the purchase through Civil Supplies Corporation and AP MARKFED.

To another question on the State Government's decision to go in for joint ventures in building of houses to the middle and lower middle classes, the Chief Minister said that the Government was able to construct weaker section houses, but the houses being constructed by the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB) were not being liked by people. Thus, it was decided to go in for joint ventures with private participation in the construction activity, he pointed out.

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