Metro India News | AMARAVATI

To transform Andhra Pradesh into a national hub for digital innovation and job creation, State Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, announced an ambitious goal of generating 10 lakh jobs over the next four years across the IT, Electronics, Data Centres, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) sectors.

During a review meeting with senior officials from the IT, Electronics, and Real-Time Governance (RTGS) departments, Lokesh directed the administration to fast-track clearances and infrastructure support for companies ready to invest in Andhra Pradesh. “So far, 95 prominent firms have come forward with investment commitments totalling Rs.1 lakh crore,” Lokesh said, adding that providing them with timely approvals and facilities is critical for swift project rollout.

Officials informed the minister that land allotments for TCS and Cognizant in Visakhapatnam have been completed, and steps are underway to expedite their operational launches. Lokesh highlighted recent MoUs signed during his Bengaluru visit with leading firms ANSR and Sattva for setting up GCCs, which alone are expected to create 35,000 jobs for local youth.

Calling for continuous engagement with these firms, Lokesh said, “The responsibility lies with the officials to ensure these MoUs translate into operational units.” To support smaller IT companies, he suggested developing co-working spaces across all 26 district headquarters.

Minister Lokesh announced that the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, a flagship initiative to boost startups and innovation, will be inaugurated shortly. He also reviewed the Amaravati Quantum Valley project and said key companies like TCS, L&T, and IBM have partnered to establish operations in the region. On the emerging drone ecosystem, Lokesh directed officials to complete the 400-acre Drone City in Orvakal, Kurnool district within a year. Citing the usefulness of drones during the Budameru floods, he stressed the need to raise public awareness about drone applications in agriculture, policing, and meteorology, through monthly district-level awareness events.

Highlighting the success of the ‘ManaMitra’ WhatsApp-based citizen service platform, Lokesh called for further expansion and awareness. Officials reported that 535 out of 702 public services are currently being offered through ManaMitra. To eliminate the need for students to visit revenue offices for certificates, the minister directed integration of caste and education certificates via blockchain into the ManaMitra platform.

Lokesh also directed the IT Department to ensure internet connectivity in all 45,000 government schools across the state and to resolve mobile signal issues at key airports such as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Rajahmundry.