SG begs for mercy from new Indian state govt to save $4 billion investment

[Leepotism]

SG High Commissioner seeks mercy from new Indian state govt after SG plonks $4B into state - The Online Citizen

The project is a joint development between the Singapore Consortium led by Temasek-linked Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development, and Amaravati Development Corporation Limited, a company set up by the previous Andhra Pradesh state government.

Andhra Pradesh was earlier governed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which was aligned with PM Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, at the recent India’s general election in May, the ruling TDP lost the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election. The YSR Congress Party led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy swept the elections with a majority of 151 out of 175 Assembly seats, propelling Reddy to become the new Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, defeating Mr Naidu of TDP.

Unfortunately, the new Chief Minister Reddy is not a keen supporter of the Amaravati capital city joint venture project and has even publicly announced that the project is “not a priority” for him. The new state government is reviewing all ongoing works and cutting finances, triggering uncertainty over the future of the state capital project which Temasek-linked entities Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development have invested in.

Work on the capital city, which has been running behind schedule, has come to a standstill. Chief Minister Reddy has set up a team of technical experts to review every aspect of the project, following allegations that the previous Chief Minister was involved in corruption over the way land was acquired, as well as other improprieties including insider trading. People linked to the previous Chief Minister were said to have allegedly bought land with the knowledge of where the capital city was going to be located before any formal announcements were made.

To underscore Reddy’s disdain for the project, it was reported that his new state government has even gone ahead to cancel flight arrangements connecting Amaravati’s Vijaywada Airport and Singapore’s Changi Airport, an agreement signed by the previous state government with Singapore. Not surprisingly, the TDP has labelled the present state government’s move to undermine the capital city project a political vendetta.

Singapore sends High Commissioner to talk to new Chief Minister Reddy

On Friday (9 Aug), it was reported in Indian media that Singapore High Commissioner to India Lim Thuan Kuan went to meet Chief Minister Reddy on the sidelines of the Diplomatic Outreach programme. Lim was accompanied by officials from Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Lim told Chief Minister Reddy that Singapore is ready to invest more in thermal, solar, aerospace and related fields, apparently in an attempt to appease the new Chief Minister.

Lim also informed the Chief Minister about the present collaboration Singapore already has with the state of Andhra Pradesh, in areas such as urban planning and development, waste and water management, power, building and construction, public healthcare, and public libraries, under a Memorandum of Understanding, which was endorsed by the Government of India.

Officials and experts from the State and Singapore have worked closely to develop priority economic sectors of aquaculture, construction and urban solutions, logistics and connectivity, tourism, and Smart City Projects, Lim noted.

The High Commissioner also reminded the Chief Minister that investments by Singapore companies in the state now exceed Rs20,000 crore (S$4 billion) creating a substantial number of jobs across the state. Singapore has also actively promoted Andhra Pradesh as a promising investment destination to Singapore and international companies at various international platforms, Lim recalled.

However, the Chief Minister explained to the Singapore delegation that the challenges and steps his administration was taking are to improve literacy in the State, and to collaborate with industries to improve the skill levels of workforce in Andhra Pradesh. The meeting ended with the usual pleasantry that both sides would agree to continue exploring further opportunities for mutual benefits.

“Rather striking was the omission of Amaravati in the statements of both the sides”, observed the Indian media, New Indian Express.

It looks like to appease the new Chief Minister Reddy further, Singapore might end up “investing” money into the state’s education too. Whatever it is, Chief Minister Reddy now could compel Singapore investing anything he fancies for his state by using the trump card Amaravati capital city project on his hand.

 

[laksaboy]

What is the PAP govt trying to do? Have a mini 'One Belt One Road' plan of its own?

 

[shittypore]

Who was the bright spark that initiated this Ah NEH investment shld be hang by the balls.

 

[Damien-Mystic]

Chief Minister Reddy now telling MIW not to "meddle" in their local Andhra Pradesh affairs?

https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ies-meddling-local-politics-quite-substantial

Is it any surprise then that we often find our own medicines bitter to taste?

 

[Damien-Mystic]

Chief Minister Reddy now telling MIW not to "meddle" in their local Andhra Pradesh affairs?

https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...ies-meddling-local-politics-quite-substantial

Is it any surprise then that we often find our own medicines bitter to taste?

 

[laksaboy]

It's only $4 bil Sinkie dollars. You can recoup that money in no time with a 20% GST.

 

[Pinkieslut]

Seriously, why would any institutions be stupid enough to invest in infrastructure when it is highly sensitive to political winds?

Such games can only be played by military and economic super powers in USA or China, whose interests and controls on any country is more than just one-way investments.

Few countries will dare to flip prata with with them due to threats of economic blockade, which is something Singapore is unable to impose on anyone.

 

[AhMeng]

CPF monies how?

 

[Pinkieslut]

Singapore and Andhra Pradesh start work on start-up area in Amaravati

An artist’s impression of the aerial view of Amaravati City in Andhra Pradesh, along the River Krishna waterfront.PHOTO: SURBANA JURONG
PUBLISHED
JAN 10, 2019, 9:03 PM SGT
UPDATED
JAN 10, 2019, 11:18 PM
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Nirmala Ganapathy
India Bureau Chief

NEW DELHI - Singapore and the southern state of Andhra Pradesh have taken the first steps towards developing the commercial core of the upcoming capital city of Amaravati.
The ignition switch was flicked on Thursday (Jan 10) when Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations S Iswaran and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a commemorative plaque as part of the ground-breaking ceremony for the setting up of the Welcome Gallery.
Singaporean firms Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development are the master developers for the 6.84 sq km stretch of the planned city. The firms are working with the Amaravati Development Corporation, an Andhra Pradesh government agency.

The gallery will be the first structure to be built in this central zone, which is also known as the start-up area.
It will be erected across 2.6ha and will be able to accommodate 2,000 to 3,000 visitors a day with features such as a city gallery, exhibition and community zones and co-working spaces for start-ups, said Amaravati Development Partners, an Indian company formed by the Singaporean firms and ADC.
The progress on Amaravati was part of discussions during the 4th Joint Implementation Steering Committee Meeting chaired by Mr Iswaran, who is also Minister for Communications and Information, and Mr Naidu on Thursday.



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Links between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh have been deepening over the collaboration to develop the new capital city.

Andhra Pradesh is building the city from scratch across agriculture land in the Guntur Vijayawada region because it lost its capital city Hyderabad to the new state of Telangana.
Singapore has been involved in the project since 2014 with Surbana Jurong submitting the city's masterplan in 2015. In 2017, a consortium of Ascendas-Singbridge and Sembcorp Development was announced as the master developers.
Apart from Amaravati, efforts are also underway to deepen economic links.
Mr Iswaran and Mr Naidu noted plans by the AP-Singapore Business Council, anchored by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to facilitate more partnerships in Andhra Pradesh between Indian and Singapore companies, said a Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) statement.
It added that the "SBF has launched 'The Sunrise Programme', a dedicated platform for Singapore companies to secure projects within Andhra Pradesh".
The three-year programme, which aims to reach out to 1,200 companies, is supported by Enterprise Singapore through its Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme, said the MTI.
The SBF said it plans to organise both outbound and inbound missions so companies from both sides can get insights into their destination markets.
It noted that the Sunrise Programme "sets in motion bilateral trade activities and establishes institutions of commerce between Singapore and the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh".
Seven Singaporean firms exchanged Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of Intent with Amaravati Development Partners to incorporate their technologies into the Welcome Gallery.
Separately three MOUs were signed between three Singaporean firms - Erect Group, CKR Group of Companies, and ByBiTech - and the Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (APRERA) and the AP Economic Cities Promotion and Development Corporation (APEDCO) to bring Singapore technologies and solutions to “Amaravati Construction City”, MTI said.
They are investing in the Amaravati Construction City, a one-stop location providing construction technologies, building materials and leasing of construction equipment, said the MTI.
"Amaravati fits right for us... we are pleased to join hands with the AP (Andhra Pradesh) government," said Mr Karthik V, operations director at ByBiTech, a professional building information modeling solutions company.
The two ministers "also commended the progress in skills development, such as the establishment of Singapore SynchroSkills, a joint venture between two Singapore and Indian companies". This has trained 300 students in bridal fashion and apparel, among other skills.
Mr Iswaran also visited the inaugural "We Draw Amaravati Together" exhibition by Urban Sketchers Singapore in India.
The exhibition, organised by Urban Sketchers Singapore, features more than 90 artworks capturing the heritage and culture of 29 villages in Amaravati, said the MTI.

 

[shittypore]

CPF monies how?

Nothing to worry, just look at your statement and feel rich ONLY.

 

[Pinkieslut]

 

[Pinkieslut]

WORLD BANK ALSO KENNA JIALAT JIALAT ...

World Bank withdrew from Amaravati due to corruption, claim AP govt officials
3 min read . Updated: 22 Jul 2019, 05:31 PM ISTYunus Y. Lasania

• The then TDP government had invited tenders for infrastructure development even before the World Bank loan details were finalized, said an official with the state government, requesting anonymity
• According to the official, the team found numerous irregularities

Topics
World BankAmaravati Project
Hyderabad: Days after the World Bank (WB) announced backing out of Amaravati capital city project, by withdrawing its $300 million funding, officials from the Andhra Pradesh government said rampant corruption besides flouting of various socio-economic norms under the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, led by former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, were the reasons behind the agency’s move," claimed officials from the AP government.
The then TDP government had invited tenders for infrastructure development even before the World Bank loan details were finalized, said an official with the state government, requesting anonymity.
Other government officials, who also did not want to be quoted, said a World Bank team that toured the proposed region marked for development from 13-17 September, 2017, found irregularities in the tender process and also that it favoured contractors.
According to the official, the team found numerous irregularities in land pooling, utilisation of verdant agriculture land for other purposes, serious environmental violations and in the plan of the new proposed capital as it affected the course of the Krishna River, among other issues.

The CRDA (Capital Region Development Authority) was asked for an explanation after the team finished its tour of the region.
The Centre has reportedly expressed dismay over the World Bank Team inspections even before the loan was finalized, said the official.
The World Bank, in a press release, however, said that the government on 15 July withdrew its request to the World Bank to finance the proposed 'Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project', due to which it backed out. "The World Bank's board of executive directors has been informed that the proposed project is no longer under preparation following the government’s decision. The World Bank continues to support the state of Andhra Pradesh with (an) over $1 billion programme that covers the health, agriculture, energy and disaster management sectors. This includes a new $328-million support to the state’s health sector signed with the Government of Andhra Pradesh on June 27, 2019," it added.

This is the first time since last week, when news broke out about World Bank withdrawing the funding, that state government officials have commented on the development. “An elaborate response is being prepared by the government to debate in the ongoing assembly session," the official informed.
After its inspection, the team had submitted its report on 27 September and amended it on 27 November in 2017, following which a final report was filed on 29 March this year, said the official.
The team had to take up investigations following a spate of complaints from social organisations and voluntary organisations.
After the bifurcation of Andhra into Telangana in 2014, the then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu decided to shift out of the joint capital, Hyderabad, and construct the new capital for Andhra Pradesh in Amaravati. Situated between Guntur and Vijayawada, a total of 33,000 acres of farmland was acquired for the project. But the government faced resistance from farmers in a few villages in the capital region who are till date opposing the land acquisition for the project.

The official, however, said the World Bank was not averse to extending the same loan to the current Andhra government, should it mention its priorities. “The World Bank has given enough indications pointing at compensating the dropped $300 million loan for capital city to other sectors and there is every possibility of an increase in the quantum of aid," he added.
A TDP leader, who did not want to be quoted, however, said unless and until an urban capital is there in a state, it will not prosper. “Will social organisations who complained, help in building a new capital or help in creating jobs as an alternative? Nobody will come to the state if we don’t have a new capital" he said, rubbishing corruption allegations against the TDP.

 

[shittypore]

Singapore and Andhra Pradesh start work on start-up area in Amaravati

An artist’s impression of the aerial view of Amaravati City in Andhra Pradesh, along the River Krishna waterfront.PHOTO: SURBANA

Another impressive Artist's impression, can trust meh?

 

[Pinkieslut]

Another impressive Artist's impression, can trust meh?

Andhra Pradesh is constantly rated one of the most corrupt state in India.

It has been rated in a 2014 report as the worst state for women.

 

[AhMeng]

PAP's Pride... LOL

 

[Pinkieslut]

Singapore sends High Commissioner to talk to new Chief Minister Reddy

On Friday (9 Aug), it was reported in Indian media that Singapore High Commissioner to India Lim Thuan Kuan went to meet Chief Minister Reddy on the sidelines of the Diplomatic Outreach programme. Lim was accompanied by officials from Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Lim told Chief Minister Reddy that Singapore is ready to invest more in thermal, solar, aerospace and related fields, apparently in an attempt to appease the new Chief Minister. <- More $$$$$$$$$$$$$ ... Sinkies ready to collect more cardboards Huat AH!

Lim also informed the Chief Minister about the present collaboration Singapore already has with the state of Andhra Pradesh, in areas such as urban planning and development, waste and water management, power, building and construction, public healthcare, and public libraries, under a Memorandum of Understanding, which was endorsed by the Government of India.

 

[laksaboy]

Reddy should send back the High Commissioner in a body bag.

 

[Pinkieslut]

Amaravati: the new Indian city modelled on Singapore, but far from it
Nearly three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, Amaravati is largely deserted


Agence France-Presse
Published: 2:39pm, 30 May, 2018

TOP PICKS


Amaravati: ‘It’ll be an Indian city like no other’. Photo: AFP
It promised to be “an Indian city like no other” – a modern, leafy metropolis modelled on Singapore, where citizens would enjoy parks and rivers and breath air unrivalled in freshness.
But the southern capital of Amaravati has been painfully slow to materialise and remains little more than dust and farms as its crusaders resort to crowdfunding to turn the pipe dream into reality.

A staggering US$15 billion is needed to transform Amaravati from a few shiny buildings, villages and thousands of acres of agricultural land into the envisioned capital of Andhra Pradesh, one of India’s largest states.


Andhra once had another capital – the booming tech and business powerhouse of Hyderabad, which pulses with IT know-how and a start-up culture.
But the revenue-rich city was assigned as the capital of a brand new state, Telangana, when it was carved out of Andhra in 2014 following a populist movement to secede.

The two states were to share Hyderabad until Andhra chose another city as its capital.
But authorities decided instead to build a grand new seat of power some 275 kilometres (170 miles) away on the banks of the river Krishna.
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Amaravati was envisioned as a metropolis free of the chaos, traffic and air pollution that plagues India’s urban centres. Photo: AFP
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While India has a tradition of planned cities, including Sir Edwin Lutyens’ New Delhi and Chandigarh in the north which was designed by Franco-Swiss modernist trailblazer Le Corbusier, nothing of this scale has been tackled for decades.
Amaravati was envisioned as a metropolis free of the chaos, traffic and air pollution that plagues India’s urban centres.

“It’ll be an Indian city like no other,” said Sreedhar Cherukuri, commissioner of Andhra’s Capital Regional Development Authority.
Amaravati’s anticipated 3.5 million inhabitants would enjoy efficient public transport including a monorail and metro network, while trees would shroud half the city with a green zone akin to New York’s Central Park, Cherukuri said.

Amaravati was envisioned as a metropolis free of the chaos, traffic and air pollution that plagues India’s urban centres. Photo: AFP
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Consultants from Amsterdam provided advice about an extensive canal system and expert opinion was sought from Singapore and Japan, among others.
“Everything has been planned to the last detail. We’ve taken the best ideas from around two dozen global cities but this perhaps comes closest to Singapore in its inspiration,” Cherukuri said.
However, nearly three years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, Amaravati is largely deserted.
An island of modern office buildings in the middle of fields hosts Andhra’s chief minister and state government, which relocated there after Telangana claimed Hyderabad.
Yet there is scant evidence of the promised utopia.
Half-finished settlements dot farmlands, most not connected by proper roads. Plans for the promised riverfront, housing and public transport have been marred by delays.

“We came here because it really has the plans and potential to become a global city,” said a university official at a huge but largely empty campus in the planned city.
“The on-ground infrastructure development, particularly the roads, has been slow,” he said, asking not to be named.
K. Nageshwar, an independent legislator in Telangana, said: “Nothing much has happened on the ground in Amaravati. It is still more dream than reality.”
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ambitiously suggested in 2014 that the project – unlike anything ever seen in India – could be completed within five years.
But since then officials have been reluctant to offer a timetable for its completion.

Amaravati was envisioned as a metropolis free of the chaos, traffic and air pollution that plagues India’s urban centres. Photo: AFP
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Naidu, who today governs Andhra from a hi-tech office in Amaravati, insists a magnificent city will one day rise from the plains
“I am not changing any plans for Amaravati. I only have to work harder to make it a reality,” the brainchild of the nascent capital said recently.
Cherukuri, the official overseeing Amaravati’s development, said contracts worth US$5 billion have already been issued, spurring the first phase of development.
It was hoped the project would also attract foreign investment, he added. But funds are running low.
Naidu blames the national government for reneging on promises made during the Telangana split that would have conferred a special status and ensured a stream of financial aid and incentives to bankroll the dream city.
The dispute soured ties with New Delhi, culminating with Naidu going on a hunger strike in April and severing ties with Modi’s ruling party.

Consultants from Amsterdam provided advice about an extensive canal system and expert opinion was sought from Singapore (pictured) and Japan, among others. File photo: Reuters
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“This is a prestigious project for the nation and if government of India had supported it, we could have showcased it to the world,” Naidu said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has rejected assertions Andhra was double crossed, saying it got all it was promised.
Naidu remains broadly popular in Andhra but has been accused of pursuing the eye-wateringly extravagant project for personal prestige.
“Naidu very clearly projected Amaravati more as an instrument of electioneering,” said K. Nageshwar, the independent legislator.
Unflagging in optimism, the chief minister declared last month that his new city would be among the happiest in the world, promising a dedicated commission to gauge the well-being of its future citizens.
“This is all optics and not substantial,” said Nageshwar.
“He can’t disown the capital now. I won’t be surprised if he’s still talking about it in 2019 and 2024 elections.”

 

[laksaboy]

Amaravati: the new Indian city modelled on Singapore, but far from it

LOL, even Kluang looks better than this crap.

 

[Leepotism]

Reddy should send back the High Commissioner in a body bag.

Hahaha, sack that burger.