Hyderabad, July 23: K.T. Rama Rao, the executive president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has written an open letter to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, urging the Congress government to clarify its official stance on the reopening of the Cement Corporation of India (CCI) plant in Adilabad.
In his letter, KTR emphasized that the reopening of the CCI plant is not merely an industrial issue. It is crucial for the livelihoods of thousands of families, the industrial future of Adilabad district, and the overall economic development of Telangana.
KTR referenced a recent delegation visit to New Delhi with representatives from the CCI Sadhana Committee. On July 15, they met with the Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and submitted a memorandum requesting the plant’s reopening. The delegation highlighted the employment opportunities and economic benefits that would arise from the plant’s revival for Adilabad and surrounding areas.
During the meeting, the Union Minister made it clear that the plant’s reopening is contingent upon the Telangana government contributing ₹250 crores. KTR noted that the minister indicated delays in the process were due to the state government not submitting a formal proposal or expressing willingness to provide incentives or necessary support. He asserted that if the state government takes the initiative, significant obstacles to reopening the plant could be overcome.
Criticizing the Congress government, KTR stated that despite a positive attitude from the central government, the state has failed to articulate its official position on this matter. He accused the Congress government of demonstrating a lack of commitment over the past two and a half years, highlighting that they have neither collaborated with the center nor announced an independent plan to revive the industry.
KTR reminded Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of his promise to reopen the CCI plant during the assembly election campaign and reiterated this commitment after assuming office. However, he pointed out that these promises remain unfulfilled.
He accused the state government of failing to engage in essential official discussions with the central government, submit necessary proposals, or provide clear information regarding incentives, which the central government has cited as reasons for the delays.
Reflecting on the previous BRS government’s efforts, KTR recalled that former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao personally wrote to the Prime Minister requesting the plant’s reopening. As the then Minister of Industries, KTR mentioned that he had also written to the former Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Anant Geete, advocating for the revival of the Adilabad CCI unit.
He further stated that the BRS government had offered all TS-iPASS incentives for the reopened plant and proposed a center-state joint venture on a 49:51 or 51:49 equity model, similar to the Ramagundam Fertilizer Plant. The previous government also indicated readiness to take over the plant for independent operation if the central government ceased its operations.
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SCN
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