Creating 20 lakh jobs is the government’s single-point agenda, says HRD Minister Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday said creating 20 lakh jobs was the government’s single-point agenda, and urged the officials to ensure that the investment agreements translated into tangible projects.

Mr. Lokesh was speaking after inaugurating the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) office at Mayuri Tech Park at Chinakakani, near Mangalagiri.

After unveiling the plaque and observing the facility, Mr. Lokesh stressed the need for a results-driven approach, criticising the previous (YSRCP) administration for neglecting the board. He said MoUs alone were not enough, and they must lead to real investments and employment generation.

Recalling his Yuvagalam padayatra, Mr. Lokesh said people aspired for jobs rather than welfare. He cited an interaction with a vendor who had sought employment opportunities for her children, saying such expectations should guide governance.

Highlighting progress, he said the State had attracted significant investments in 20 months, stating that Andhra Pradesh secured ₹25 of every ₹100 invested nationally. He congratulated APEDB CEO Saikant Varma and the team.

Mr. Lokesh noted global firms like Google, ArcelorMittal, Tata Consultancy Services, and Cognizant had chosen the State.

He urged the officials to focus on project grounding, cluster development, and integration, and announced plans for a second steel city foundation on March 23.