AP Cabinet Approves ₹11,569 Crore Investments, Plans Special Mechanism to Tackle Social Media Misuse

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday approved 13 major investment proposals worth ₹11,569.91 crore , paving the way for significant industrial expansion and employment generation across the state. The projects are expected to create 31,431 jobs , providing a major boost to Andhra Pradesh’s economic growth and industrial development.

Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said the Cabinet ratified all 13 proposals that had earlier received clearance from the 19th State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) . The approved projects will receive land allotments and incentives in accordance with the state's industrial policy.

Among the key investments is the expansion of operations by Mondelez India Foods Private Limited at Sri City in Tirupati district . The company plans to invest ₹1,801 crore to expand its existing manufacturing facility. Under the state’s industrial policy, the project will be eligible for technology upgradation support, fixed capital investment incentives, power subsidies and other electricity-related concessions. The government believes the expansion will strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position as a leading centre for cocoa-based chocolate manufacturing in the country.

Apart from investment approvals, the Cabinet held an extensive discussion on the growing issue of social media misuse . Minister Parthasarathy said social media, while serving as a powerful communication tool, is increasingly being misused to spread misinformation, target individuals and influence public opinion through false narratives. He noted that the problem is not limited to Andhra Pradesh or India, but has emerged as a global concern, prompting several countries to introduce legal measures and regulatory frameworks.

The minister pointed out that traditional media organisations operate under identifiable ownership and established legal responsibilities, allowing citizens to seek remedies in case of misinformation. In contrast, many social media platforms and anonymous accounts function without adequate accountability, making it difficult to address malicious campaigns and defamatory content.

During the meeting, Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta and senior officials made detailed presentations on measures to curb online abuse. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to utilise advanced forensic technologies to identify individuals and networks involved in spreading hate content, misinformation and provocative material.

To strengthen enforcement, the Chief Minister ordered the establishment of a dedicated Social Media Response Cell at the state level. He also directed officials to create a special task force to counter false allegations and coordinated misinformation campaigns. According to the government, investigations are underway to identify those responsible for such activities, including possible politically motivated groups and their supporters.

The Chief Minister further instructed officials to develop a clear operational framework for detecting violations, gathering evidence and initiating legal action against offenders. The government said a comprehensive inquiry is in progress and assured that verified findings will be made public once investigations are completed. The Cabinet maintained that protecting free communication while ensuring accountability and preventing misuse will remain a key priority for the state administration.