This Article is From Sep 27, 2010

Telangana: Frequent bandhs affecting industries

Hyderabad: Frequent bandhs and violence accompanied the agitations for and against statehood to Telangana last year. A nervous industry in Andhra Pradesh now wants assurances from both the political parties and the government that they will be spared in future agitations.

Industrialist Harish Chandra Prasad is among those who is anxious ahead of December 31, when the Srikrishna committee will submit its report on Telangana. Prasad says no report can satisfy both Telangana and coastal Andhra regions, and the aggrieved party will resort to agitations. Many in the industry are therefore making alternate plans.

"Pharma and software companies belonging to people from Andhra Pradesh are either moving to coastal Andhra Pradesh or some of them are moving out of Andhra Pradesh. Our appeal is please do not stop employees from coming to office, please do not throw stones at our factories because we are an easy target," said Harish Chandra Prasad, Former President, CII, AP Chapter.

The government has been downplaying any signs of fear in the industry.

As proof that all is well with Andhra Pradesh, the government points to Facebook, that has logged on to Hyderabad. It is almost as if it is a face-saver. And perhaps it is time for the state to some social networking and make friends.

"There is psychological fear that there might be some law and order problem, but they are not concerned with the political decisions whatever," said Ratna Prabha, IT secretary, Andhra Pradesh.

That's not the ground reality, which is why a large group of industrialists sought a meeting with Telangana leader K Chandrasekhar Rao. At the closed-door meeting, Rao promised a bandh-free and agitation free Telangana. But that is only if statehood was granted.
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