Latest news with #N.ChandrababuNaidu
The Hindu
25 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dravidian University gets government nod for engineering college, courses to begin this year
Dravidian University in Kuppam is spruced up for the launch of its engineering college after the State government on Friday approved its proposal, and paved the way for the university to commence technical courses from the academic session 2025–26. This marks a significant initiative towards expanding higher education options at the tri-State Kuppam junction. The initiative is directly supported by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the MLA of Kuppam Assembly constituency since 1989. Dravidian University, which remains a traditional university for language studies and subjects of the humanities division, will hereafter make a strong presence in professional technical education. As part of the initiative, the engineering college will offer two undergraduate engineering courses, Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), and CSE with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) in the first phase, with 60 seats available in each stream. This arrangement will benefit local students, who can now save time by avoiding travel to longer distances such as Tirupati, Chennai, or Bengaluru to pursue professional studies. The university authorities thanked the State government and acknowledged the Chief Minister's role in the sanction. 'This long-awaited dream that came true would not only galvanise the institution's academic scenario but also open great avenues for the students of this rural region. It would also enhance the reputation of the university and provide a big scope for students not only from the Kuppam region but from elsewhere in the southern States,' said Mr. Kancharla Srikath, MLC from Kuppam and government chief whip.
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Star hotel owners meet Naidu, propose use of AI-driven tools in hotel operations
Andhra Pradesh Star Hotels Association (APHA) members on Friday met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Tourism Conclave and underscored the need to deploy AI-driven tools and digital innovations to modernise guest experiences, marketing, and hotel operations, aligning with the State's vision for tourism excellence. The Chief Minister welcomed the hotel industry's readiness to co-create a tech-enabled roadmap for tourism growth. The hoteliers also strongly urged the government to ensure that full industry status benefits, especially recurring benefits such as power tariff concessions, water tax and property tax waivers, are extended to all existing star hotels, not just new ones. The members emphasised that while capital subsidies naturally apply to greenfield projects, ongoing operational benefits must treat all classified hotels equitably to maintain Andhra Pradesh's competitiveness as a quality tourism destination. Additionally, they recommended that hotels be reclassified as 'green category' units under the Pollution Control norms rather than under restrictive orange or red categories, acknowledging the industry's sustainable practices and eco-friendly upgrades. According to sources, the Chief Minister responded positively and assured the association members that the proposals would be carefully reviewed and appropriate directions would be issued to address these long-standing requests under the State's tourism policy. The APHA delegation comprised Prabhu Kishore (Chairman, Novotel Varun Group), Gokaraju Gangaraju (Chairman, Lemon Tree Premiere), M. Rajaiah (Managing Director, Taj Vivanta Vijayawada), Muttavarapu Murali Krishna (Managing Director, Fortune Murali Park), AP Star Hotels Association president R.V. Swamy, general secretary S. Murthy Chittoory, vice-president Venkat, and Sharan Valluru (MD, GRT Grand Vijayawada).
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Naidu unveils vision to make A.P. a global tourism destination
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday unveiled an ambitious vision to position Andhra Pradesh as a global leader in tourism. Addressing a gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at 'Andhra Pradesh Tourism Conclave Tech AI 2.0' in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister described tourism as the engine of future growth and emphasised its central role in driving economic transformation, employment generation, and cultural promotion. As many as 82 MoUs worth ₹10,329 crore were signed at the conclave. Speaking about the need to promote yoga and natural wellness, Mr. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh will be the wellness and happiness destination of the future. He invited yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who was present on the occasion, to promote wellness tourism in the State and take on an advisory role. Tourism, the only '-ism' Highlighting the tourism sector's transformative power, Mr. Naidu reiterated his oft-repeated line: 'All other 'isms' may fade, but tourism is the only '-ism' that will survive.' He reinforced the idea that tourism is not only a cultural and economic catalyst, but also a sustainable engine for inclusive development. 'Globally, one in every 10 jobs is from tourism,' he pointed out, emphasising the sector's potential to create eight jobs for every ₹1 lakh invested, which is more than IT, manufacturing, or agriculture. He shared plans to increase the sector's employment share from 12% to 15%, and its contribution to GSDP from ₹74,000 crore to ₹2,40,000 crore by 2029. Empowering communities Speaking about the inclusive homestay policy, Mr. Naidu said the target was to create 10,000-plus homestays across tribal, rural, coastal, and heritage regions. 'From 19,500 rooms today, we aim to scale up to 50,000 rooms by 2029,' he said. In the past, his idea was to promote one IT professional in every family, and now he is eager to achieve the 'one family, one entrepreneur' goal. The proposed Ratan Tata Innovation Hub at Amravati would help the government achieve its target, he said. 'Andhra Pradesh has the best temples, and 21 of them generate wealth,' Mr. Naidu said, and cited the gifts of the State including the ancient cities, a 1,000-km coastline, forest reserves and riverine systems like the Godavari and Krishna. 'The government is developing seven anchor hubs at Visakhapatnam, Araku, Rajahmundry, Amaravati, Srisailam, Gandikota, and Tirupati and over 25 thematic circuits, including 10 temple circuits, five coastal, four river routes, two cruises, two Buddhist sites and three eco-tourism trails, he said. A win-win opportunity The Chief Minister said the State had designed an investor-friendly Tourism Policy 2024-29, which proved to be a game-changer and shattered the myth that only the wealthy can invest in tourism sector. 'Tourism has now been granted industry status across segments, with incentives like 100% stamp duty exemption, electricity duty reimbursement for five years, SGST reimbursements for up to 15 years, and fast-tracked clearances under the 'Speed of Doing Business' initiative, he said, adding, 'Speed of doing business in real-time will cut red tape. I'm ready to introduce more reforms if needed.' Mr. Ramdev lauded Mr. Naidu's leadership and his transformative governance. He called for the development of Horsley Hills as an international wellness destination, integrating yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy. He also announced plans to set up Patanjali wellness centers across Andhra Pradesh and suggested promoting scenic locations as premium wedding venues, celebrating Indian traditions. Mr. Naidu responded by promising full support, including an airport at Madanapalle, to boost wellness tourism. Earlier, the Chief Minister flagged off the Caravan Tourism initiative, offering modern, mobile travel solutions for families and groups. He also released the State Tourism Digital Calendar along with a new brochure, strategy paper, and annual tourism event schedule. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, Special Chief Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Ajay Jain, Managing Director of AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) and CEO of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority Amrapali Kata, Director of Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation (GFST) Cherukuri Kutumba Rao and its vice-chairman S.P. Tucker and others were present.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Godavari-Banakacherla project may compromise Andhra Pradesh's rights over Krishna waters, fears thinkers' forum
A thinkers' forum, Alochanaparula Vedika, has urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to initiate steps to safeguard the State's water rights over the rivers Krishna and Godavari. It has also voiced its objection to the proposed Godavari–Banakacherla scheme, citing the potential risk to Rayalaseema's access to Krishna waters. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister on Friday, the vedika members, A.B. Venkateswara Rao, T. Lakshminarayana, Kambhampati Papa Rao, and Akkineni Bhavani Prasad, criticised the government for not conducting inclusive consultations on key inter-basin transfer projects, such as the Polavaram–Banakacherla. 'No transparency' 'The government is functioning without transparency, and is not engaging with the opposition parties, civil society, domain experts, or researchers,' they alleged. They also rejected Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's demand for allocation of 500 tmc ft of Krishna waters and 1,000 tmc ft of Godavari waters to Telangana. Citing legal precedents, the vedika members reminded that the Bachawat Tribunal (1973) and the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal (2013) had already allocated 512.04 tmc ft to Andhra Pradesh and 298.96 tmc ft to Telangana — a settlement accepted by both the States during the first Apex Council meeting, attended by Mr. Naidu and then Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. 'Dangerous precedent' The vedika also expressed concern over Telangana's recent arguments before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal, which attempt to invalidate historic allocations to projects such as the Srisailam Right Branch Canal, KC Canal, and the Krishna Delta. 'This can set a dangerous precedent that may benefit the upper riparian States such as Karnataka and Maharashtra at Andhra Preadesh's expense,' they cautioned. On the Godavari–Banakacherla project, the vedika members alleged political motives behind its conception, linking it to past deals involving former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Mr. Chandrashekar Rao. The project, they feared, would compromise Andhra Pradesh's Krishna water rights, particularly for the drought-hit Rayalaseema. Instead, they proposed alternatives, including accelerating the Polavaram–Somasila interlink, completing the ongoing Rayalaseema projects, and protecting the constitutional and tribunal-based entitlements. 'Any dilution of Andhra Pradesh's water rights will have long-term consequences,' the vedika members cautioned. It urged the State government to uphold the interests of Andhra Pradesh through a non-compromising and legally sound approach.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
MoUs worth ₹10,328 cr to be signed at tourism tech conclave
A two-day 'Andhra Pradesh Tourism Conclave- Tech AI 2.0' kicked off in Vijayawada on Thursday, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors of tourism on a common platform, eager to explore the State's tourism landscape. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh will attend the second day event on Friday (June 27). As many as 82 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed pertaining to projects worth ₹10,328 crore. These investments are expected to create 22,325 jobs in over 7,600 hotel keys. Of the total 82 MoUs, 47 are related to hotel development, three for amusement parks and 32 others for water sports, sea cruises, adventure activities, homestays and caravans. The inaugurated session saw participation of former Chief Secretary S.P. Tucker, who is now heading the Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation (GFST), Tourism Secretary Ajay Jain, CEO and Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Amrapali Kata along with other department officials. The participants were a blend of IAS officers, nodal officers, E&Y consultants, academic experts and industry leaders. They engaged in six thematic panel discussions on creative economy, products and projects, investments, tech AI, branding and marketing and capacity building. The panel discussion on creative economy was chaired by the Commissioner, Department of Handlooms and Textiles Rekha Rani, the panel on 'products and projects' was divided into two key segments of hotels, MICE and heritage, led by IAS officer Krishna Teja. Adventure tourism was moderated by the Managing Director of Antara Cruise Raj Singh. Discussion on investments was moderated by Ms. Amrapali, tech AI by CEO of Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Prakhar Jain, branding and marketing by Director, Information and Public Relations Himanshu Shukla and discussion on capacity building was moderated by the Managing Director, Society for Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) V. Karuna.
