CM refutes Naidu's claims

Hyderabad, Jan 21 (UNI) Refuting Opposition TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu's claims that he has done everything tp promote IT in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today said the IT sector grew by leaps and bounds during the last three and-a-half years.

The contribution of the state, through IT exports, to the national exchequer made rapid strides from 8.62 per cent during 2003-04 to 14 per cent in 2006-07, Dr Reddy added.

Alleging that Mr Naidu was spreading a canard that during his regime IT sector made a big thrust in the state, Dr Reddy said the fact was that during the TDP regime, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had overtaken Andhra Pradesh in both IT growth and exports.

The IT sector, in the last three and a half years, had contributed 52.09 per cent of the total exports from all sectors in the state, he pointed out.

Percolation of growth of IT to other parts of the state was not only essential for providing employment to the rural educated youth but for over all balanced socio-economic development of the state as well, he added.

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