VANPIC has hit industry for Guntur, says Minister
Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Welfare Minister Kollu Ravindra on Saturday charged that it was owing to the failed VANPIC project of the previous Congress government that the Guntur-Prakasam belt was not receiving any fresh industry. Under the VANPIC project, 22,000 acres of land was allotted against the rules to industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad and Ras Al Khaimah of the Gulf for supposed port development. Following a CBI inquiry one minister was jailed and another had to resign for the irregularities. Subsequently, there was no sign of investment. The minister said there was no development in Guntur even now because of the notorious VANPIC. Talking to the media in Vijayawada, Ravindra, who also holds the excise portfolio, said all wine bars in the State should put up boards, stating `no drinks for minors.' This was compulsory, he added. He was apparently reacting to 250 minors being caught in Hyderabad driving big vehicles. They also caused serious accidents by drunken driving in that city.
