Global tech giant Google is making headlines with its first-ever massive investment outside the U.S.; a ₹87,000 crore AI data center in Visakhapatnam. The MoU was recently signed in Delhi.
The ruling coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has been touting the project as a game-changer, claiming it will transform the state’s economy and bring 1.87 lakh direct and indirect jobs.
However, former minister Gudivada Amarnath has thrown a challenge.
“It would be better if these claims came from Google itself,” he said, adding that an official statement from the company would bring credibility.
He pointed out that during the cabinet meeting and SIPB presentation, the actual employment estimate was just 200 jobs, a figure also reported in TDP-friendly newspapers at the time.
“Now, the same TDP leaders are claiming lakhs of jobs,” he said, accusing them of misleading the public.
“When a government gives away thousands of acres of land and massive incentives to a company, it should also clearly state how much revenue the state will earn and how many real job opportunities will be created for unemployed youth,” Amarnath stressed.
He noted that Google’s total global workforce across its development centers, data centers, and R&D units is around 1.87 lakh employees.
“If Google itself announces lakhs of jobs for Vizag, as a Vizagite, I will personally honour the coalition leaders,” he declared.
