Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh reveals how the state secured the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant and Google Data Centre through rapid digital negotiations and policy reforms.
The ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant in Andhra Pradesh, the largest in India, is set to lay its foundation stone in February. The state concluded this deal without even signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalising everything through a Zoom call and a WhatsApp chat with Aditya Mittal. The Rs 1.5 lakh crore plant has received environment clearances, with the entire process having taken only 15 to 18 months. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh addressed taxation issues swiftly to sign the Google Data Centre project, showcasing its ability to positively influence policy.
Business in Andhra Pradesh
Nara Lokesh, the Andhra Pradesh Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communication, Governance, and Human Resource Development, highlighted these projects to demonstrate the state’s success in attracting large investment deals. He attributed this success to the speed of government operations and the regulatory reforms being implemented on the ground.
The shift in Andhra Pradesh was influenced by advice from Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, who emphasised the need for the government to deliver at speed. This commitment to speed has now become part of the state’s culture, distinguishing it from others, Lokesh said. Speaking at the Pune Public Policy Festival in Pune on Friday, he said that the state is re-examining and transforming every regulation and Act. All investments are monitored and tracked against strict timelines to eliminate bottlenecks, he explained. The political and bureaucratic systems are now measured by their speed of response.
While signing MoUs and making announcements are important, Lokesh noted that the crucial factor is the state’s focus on execution. This approach has positioned Andhra Pradesh as a leading investment destination, intensifying competition among states. Lokesh said competition between states was good and augurs well for the country.
Deep-Tech Governance: AI, Blockchain, and Quantum Valleys
Andhra Pradesh is also at the forefront of using deep technology in governance, he said. The state is employing conversational AI to assess skills across 400 trades and evaluate the skill levels of half a million people. Additionally, it plans to reform land records using blockchain technology for enhanced traceability. The government is using WhatsApp to deliver 1,000 different services, leveraging Generative AI throughout the process. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh was the first state to launch a quantum computing valley initiative with a dedicated policy, inspiring other states to follow suit.
Lokesh said the technologies being utilised in Andhra Pradesh’s governance could be implemented nationwide, transforming the overall governance landscape.
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