KTR stresses on the importance of skill, reskill and upskill for employment to grab employment opportunities

IT and Industries Minister on Monday said initiation was the best form of flattery and with the Union government replicating Telangana’s TS-iPASS to bring a single-window clearance for industrial development, “I can proudly claim that what Telangana does today, India does tomorrow.”

Through TS-iPASS, the State government gave approvals to about 17,302 industrial units attracting over Rs 2.2 lakh crore investments and ensured over 16 lakh direct jobs. Of these, over 13,000 units have commenced their operations already in industrial sector. At least another 3 lakh new jobs were created in IT sector. More than 1.32 lakh jobs were provided in various government departments, the Minister said, replying to a short discussion on IT sector in the State Assembly here.

The Minister stressed on the importance of skill, reskill and upskill for employees to stay relevant and grab employment opportunities. He said the government was striving towards integrated development and providing incentives to entrepreneurs setting up their units in the State. 

He said the State government was offering additional incentives to the companies which are willing to give priority to local youth in recruitment. Stating that Telangana was competing with the world in attracting investment, he cited the recent investment made by Kitex where Telangana had not only competed with other States but also countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Responding to questions raised by the legislators on the occasion, Rama Rao said Telangana was promoting IT sector development in Tier-II cities. As per the new IT policy, the government will create over 50,000 IT jobs in next five years in Tier-II cities including Siddipet, Nalgonda, Ramagundam, Wanaparthy and other



towns. Plans are afoot to double the size of life sciences industry in Hyderabad from 50 billion dollars to 100 billion dollars by 2030, to create four lakh new jobs. To ensure that the Hyderabad Pharma City is pollution free, common effluent treatment plants will be installed.

As against industrial parks developed in 23,000 acres over 35 years period in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, about 19,000 acres were developed withing seven years span after the formation of Telangana State. The State has identified 14 priority sectors including IT, electronics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, defence, life sciences and food processing, he said. Telangana became the first State to launch Drone Policy and also Medicine from the Sky programme in association with World Economic Forum. He stated that the government was promoting industrial development in all areas of Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana State.

The Telangana government is also coming up with food processing zones with nothing less than 500 acres area each in all the 10 erstwhile districts. “We have already identified over 10,000 acres land for the purpose of food processing zones. About 1,496 applications were recieved for inviting Expression of Interest, indicating the faith in the State administration,” he said. Over 3 lakh youngsters are being provided skill development programmes in the State through various State government institutions. 

Through T-Fibre, internet connectivity will be provided to about 30,000 government institutions including schools, Rythu Vedikas, Primjary Healthcare Centres and others soon. Further, about 2.76 crore people used T-Wallet services and carried out transactions worth about Rs 13,663 crore.