Defunct IDPL to be revived: Minister

Hyderabad, Feb 23 (UNI)Andhra Pradesh Government today assured the State Assembly the public sector Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) factory in Hyderabad was under the process of revival.

Replying to a question by Mr G Kishan Reddy and others during the Question Hour today, Industries Minister J Geeta Reddy said the state government was trying to revive industries which turned sick during the previous TDP regime.

Over 38,000 industries were closed and the government was trying to revive non-BIFR units, Dr Reddy said.

While public sector units will be given financial assistance for revival, those in the private domain will be called for discussion on the modalities get them back on the track.

She reminded the House that eight cooperative sugar factories put up for sale during the TDP regime, were revived soon after the Congress came to power.

The Congress Government had already re-opened the mammoth Rayalaseema Paper Mills in Kurnool district.

Six opposition parties -- TDP, CPI(M), CPI, TRS, BJP and AIMIM -- staged a walkout protesting against the Congress not implementing its poll promise of reviving sick industries and helping two lakh workers thrown out of employment.

Intervening after the walkout, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said it was strange that the TDP which sold even sugar factories that were running well to private parties was now demanding the re-opening of units which were closed due to its lopsided industrial policy.

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