Andhra Pradesh's proactive governance, dubbed a 'double engine bullet sarkar', is powering a significant investment surge, drawing global giants like Google, IBM, and ArcelorMittal-Nippon, according to State Minister Nara Lokesh. The minister highlighted this achievement while addressing the Public Policy Festival 2026 at Pune's Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics.
Beyond Ease to Speed of Business
Nara Lokesh, who holds portfolios for IT, Electronics, Communications, and HRD, stated that the state is now focusing on the 'speed of doing business' rather than just the ease of it. He argued that this shift is critical for attracting modern enterprises.
'Today even a medium enterprise is investing thousands of crores... a six-month delay due to government inefficiency can throw the entire business plan out,' Lokesh explained. He credited the clear political will and dynamic leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for enabling rapid policy changes.
Major Investments and a Quantum Leap
The minister listed key projects drawn to the state, including a Google data centre and a massive ArcelorMittal-Nippon steel plant. In a landmark development, he revealed that CM Naidu convinced IBM to install South Asia's first 150-qubit quantum computer in Amaravati at no cost to the state.
This quantum computer project is a collaboration between Tata Consultancy Services, IBM, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, with the Andhra government providing the enabling framework. 'Now, the state government's challenge is that India should make its own quantum computer,' Lokesh added, setting a bold national ambition.
Political Renewal and Healthy Competition
Lokesh linked the investment success to a political renewal within the state. He noted that around 50% of MLAs elected in 2024 were first-time winners, and seventeen of the 25 ministers are also newcomers. This fresh team, he asserted, is crucial for backing the Chief Minister's vision.
He also advocated for healthy competition among states, naming Odisha and Maharashtra as peers to watch. 'These are the states I need to watch out for,' he said, acknowledging their impressive work in attracting investments.
Student Choice in Third Language
On the education front, Minister Lokesh clarified the state's language policy. He announced that in Andhra Pradesh schools, apart from the mother tongue and English, the third language will be a choice for students, with no enforcement of a particular language.
'Hindi is already an option,' he stated, responding to queries about the third-language controversy in Maharashtra. This move emphasizes flexibility and student preference in the state's educational approach.
