The IT sector in Visakhapatnam like the other sectors has suffered considerable damage due to Hudhud cyclone, but there is no need for any apprehensions on the long-term prospects and the State Government will extend full support to it in all forms, according to IT Minister P. Raghunadhra Reddy.
He said here on Friday that power had been restored to the IT units at Rushikonda hills and all the pending incentives and subsidies to the units would be quickly given. "We will also make efforts to get the insurance claims of the companies cleared as quickly as possible. We are in touch with the insurance companies," he said.
He said the IT signature tower would be built on the Rushikonda hill, as planned, and all efforts would be made to attract investments into the sector. "We invited several IT companies earlier this month and nearly 400 of them responded. Several of them are positive about setting up units and starting operations here. There is no blow to the brand image of Visakhapatnam as an IT destination," he said.
According to the IT entrepreneurs, power was restored to the units on the Rushikonda hills only on Deepavali night and still some units were waiting for it. B. Gopi, of the Sankhya Technologies, said power had been restored to his unit only on Thursday night. "We have resumed operations on a small scale on Friday. Still, some of the IT units are waiting for power restoration," he said.
He said his company had put up a claim for Rs 77 lakh and so far two surveys had been conducted and yet the damage had not been accurately assessed. "We are waiting for another qualified surveyor to arrive at the spot and make a final assessment. In spite of the Chief Minister's clear directive that the process should be expedited and multiple surveys avoided, it has not yet resulted in any concrete action," he complained.
He wanted the insurance companies to understand the gravity of the situation and respond quickly.