The recent twin blasts in Hyderabad, which claimed 40 lives, exposed the lopsided security cover in the state, particularly in the city. As a result, foreign investors, who are seeing Hyderabad as a ?happening city?, are now anxious about their entry prospects.
??We always project Hyderabad as safe city despite the state reeling under Maoist threat. But after the terrorist attack, it is quite difficult to convince foreign investors,?? senior investment advisors told FE. They say most of the investing companies have been enquiring about security and safety aspects in the city.
Foreign investors now want to know the preparedness of various agencies involved in providing relief in case of a calamity. ??They want to know about paramedical facilities, ambulance facilities etc,?? industry sources said.
However, state IT secretary, Shailendra Joshi, denied any apprehensions on the security aspects. ??We have not received any representation from the industry,?? Joshi said. The government, on its own, is taking measures to revive the industry?s confidence, he added.
AP has decided to beef-up its police force by recruiting 37,880 personnel over a period of four years, besides raising a new anti-terrorist squad, on the lines of Grey Hounds, to control the Maoists.
According to home minister, Jana Reddy, the government has decided to invest Rs 870 crore (Rs 670 crore for wages and Rs 200 crore for implementation) in the next four years to modernise and improve various facilities, including weaponry. The modernisation will be undertaken in all the police wings.