Atchut Rao appointed Fapcci president

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci) unanimously elected C V Atchut Rao and Sudhir Sanghi as president and senior vice-president of Fapcci for 2005-06 respectively.

While the former was the senior vice-president in 2004-05, the latter was the vice-president of Fapcci during the same period, a press release said.

Rao is the managing director of CVSV Agritech and Exim Limited, involved in jute twine manufacturing, import and export of metals, agro products and construction.

Sanghi was instrumental in conceiving, promoting and launching all the Sanghi group of companies that are into polyester yarn, textile processing, cement and publishing.

Meanwhile, O P Goenka, the outgoing president of Fapcci, in a press release gave his views on his stint as the president and the various government initiatives during that year.

"We compliment the government's initiative to strengthen the industrial sector in Andhra Pradesh. We also suggest that an SSI Revival Policy be made," Goenka said.

"While we are appreciative of the state government's thrust on infrastructure, we also feel that there is a need to reorient the labour laws to meet the changing industrial scenario," he added.

Fapcci, Goenka said, does not agree to reservation in the private sector for the weaker sections and therefore, suggests that the government, public and private sector work together to equip the SC/ST youth with adequate skill information and entrepreneurship training to avail of job opportunities in all sectors.

With regard to the energy sector, he said that the government should take a liberalised view on the biomass, industrial waste and wind-based power projects.

"Besides, while we have a good food processing policy. It is unfortunate that the implementation has not commenced as yet," Goenka added.

Suggestions with regard to setting standards in the medicinal and aromatic plants sector and greater focus on contract farming besides application of information technology in agriculture were also made.