When the Congress government in Telangana announced major investment agreements with the Adani Group, the irony of the moment was not lost on the political observers.
The business conglomerate, owned by Gautam Adani, is often the target of attack by Congress for being an undue beneficiary of the NDA government. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi never loses an opportunity to criticise Adani and accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘doling out favours to his close friend.’
However, it’s business as usual in Congress-ruled Telangana.
On the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the state government and the Adani Group for investments of over Rs 12,400 crore in the state over the next two years. The MoUs were signed in the presence of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani.
The Adani Group will invest Rs 5000 crore for a data center, Rs 5000 crore for two pumped storage projects of 1,350 MW capacity, Rs 1400 crore for a cement plant, and 1,000 crore in Counter Drone Systems and Missile Development and Manufacturing Centres at the Adani Aerospace and Defence Park near Hyderabad. It has also agreed to support the skill development universities in Telangana, a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said.
Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), which will invest Rs 5,000 crore in a 100 MW data centre powered by renewable energy, will work closely with local MSMEs and start-ups to develop a globally competent supplier base for the project, providing employment, both direct and indirect, to 600 people.
Soon, the Adani Group will develop an integrated state-of-the-art skilling university in Telangana. Welcoming the Adani Group to the state, Revanth Reddy said, “It is a great pleasure to welcome the Adani group to Telangana. The eagerness of Gautam Gautam Adani to explore various possibilities and harnessing our strength is a welcome signal that top-notch conglomerates are eager to invest in Telangana. We have successfully shown to the business world that 'Telangana Means Business'.”
Speaking after signing the MoUs, Adani, said, “The new government in Telangana under the leadership of Revanth Reddy has been extremely investor-friendly and with newly initiated policies, should attract more investments. The Adani group will continue growing in Telangana at a high pace.”
Central leaders dodge questions:
At a press conference in New Delhi, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram dodged questions from reporters over Adani Group’s proposed investments in Telangana.
Clearly looking uncomfortable with a media query, he handed over the mike to party colleague Supriya Shrinate, who refused to comment.
“Let’s confine the interaction to the Congress’ manifesto for Lok Sabha polls. Let us not deviate,” she said.
Follow us
