AP natural choice for gas reserves: CII

Vijayawada, June 17 (UNI) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has said Andhra Pradesh would be the natural choice to get first supplies of the gas reserves and efforts were being made to convince the agencies concerned in realising the goal.

Talking to newspersons here last evening, CII AP Chairman G Vivekanand said the CII has raised the issue at various forms, besides making representations to Reliance and to the Gujarat Government.

Dr Vivekanand said about 100 industrialists went in a delegation and made a plea to the Government recently.

He said the demand that AP should be the first beneficiary from Reliance's gas find in the Krishna-Godavari basin will continue to be the main focus of efforts being made by the state's industrialists.

CII had taken many initiatives to ensure industrial development in Vijayawada at par with other growing cities in the state, he said.

The CII's thrust during the last two years had made 15 to 20 textile units coming up between Vijayawada and Guntur.

Dr Vivekanand, who is also the Managing Director of Visaka Industries Ltd said there was a scope for development of textiles in this region, in view of rich cotton-growing fields and human resources.

Earlier, addressing a seminar on 'Business Excellence' organised by the CII here, he said special programmes were being taken up for technology transfer and upgradation of small and medium industries in Vijayawada region.

CII National Council Member Ramesh Datla said, mixed cluster approach was being recommended, in view of the possibility for exchange of resources and ideas between industrialists making different products.

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