Hyderabad: Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said that for the Congress govt, industrial growth is not merely about investment statistics but about creating livelihoods for people.Inaugurating the Industrial Innovation and Technology Expo 2026 at HITEX here, he said the industrial expo is a good platform for exchanging ideas, and provides small businesses with opportunities to find new customers, manufacturers to access cutting-edge technologies, and startups to connect with their first buyers.Stating that Telangana has earned the confidence of investors and witnessed robust industrial growth since its formation, he said Hyderabad has gained global recognition in the IT, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences sectors.However, he emphasised that the state’s growth should not remain confined to the services sector. He stressed the need to increase the contribution of industry, particularly MSMEs, to the state’s GDP, noting that manufacturing plays a vital role in employment generation and strengthening the rural economy.Stating that the govt’s vision is to ensure that Ease of Doing Business benefits not only large companies but also small industries, women entrepreneurs, and rural entrepreneurs, he said he would dedicate every Friday to meeting MSME associations and industry representatives to discuss their issues.Reiterating the govt’s vision of transforming Telangana into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, he said the Congress govt is ready to promote investments through both public funding and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He invited industrialists to seize these opportunities and invest in Telangana.Speaking at another event held at Shilpakala Vedika on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the Day Against Human Trafficking, he said, “Enacting laws alone is not enough. Lasting change must come from society itself.”Along with counseling in schools and colleges, he urged leaders and celebrities who have a strong influence on society to create awareness through videos and social media posts, against drugs. Even a short message from film personalities—including heroes, heroines, actors, directors, and character artists—could transform the lives of countless young people, he added.He appealed to the entire Telugu film industry to record video messages promoting the “Say No to Drugs” campaign as part of their responsibility toward the state’s development.
