Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today expressed discontent over 14th Finance Commission recommendations, which failed to provide Rs 1.41 lakh crore financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh State.
“Though we sought Rs 1.41 lakh crore financial aid, the 14th finance commission did not heed and the Centre has to come to our succor”, he told media persons during his tour in Kuppam in his home district Chittoor. However, Naidu expressed happiness over ten per cent of hike in Central Taxes to 42 per cent from existing 32 per cent. “Indeed we are happy to some extent that Parliament approved the finance allocations to the States”. Chandrababu said the States can make use of the Central tax with 10 per cent hike to start their own schemes. “Indeed, I am happy that the Centre has accorded priority to the States”. However, he equally expressed unhappiness over the commission ignoring their demand of Rs 1.41 lakh crore. “Had the Centre given such amount the AP Government could have sorted out the problem related to revenue deficit”, he said, adding that Rs 22,113 crore allotted for revenue deficit will not be enough to pay salaries to staff.
”The Centre has allocated to the AP Government Rs 22,113 crore to plug revenue deficit for five years which is inadequate. The Centre has to extend full cooperation in terms of funds and timely allocations to meet our expectations. Since bifurcation was not done in a proper way, the Centre has to help us to overcome financial crisis. Unless the Centre comes to our aid, the State government will not wade out of the crisis and develop in future”, he maintained.
On 10 percent of central tax hike Chandrababu further welcomed the gesture of the Centre to honor state appeals to witness fast growth and speedy development. Though there is some disparity between 14th commission and previous one, the state government could not get its due share of allocations he said. the Centre has dole out some sops for the states whose economies will be put on right tracks of the development, he maintained. He urged the Centre to offer more financial assistance to the Andhra Pradesh to build its new capital. The State Government is focused on land pooling and paying of compensation to the land owners besides focusing on facilities, connectivity and infrastructure he added. (NSS)
