Naidu thanks PM for financial assistance to AP

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he urged the Centre to help and fulfill all promises given at the time of bifurcation to Andhra Pradesh.

He was addressing a joint press conference along with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley after a meeting with the Prime Minister on the problems of the State. He thanked the Prime Minister for the assistance given to the State so far. He said the Centre extended financial assistance to the State as per the promises listed in AP Re-organisation Act. The Centre has given Rs 2,300 crore under State Deficit Budget and Rs 1,500 crore for construction of new capital city, he added.

The Chief Minister said he brought to the notice of the Prime Minister about a promise of special package to seven backward districts as given to Bundelkhand. He also reminded the promise given by earlier UPA government that new State capital would be developed on par with Hyderabad city. “I had informed the then government that Rs five lakh crore would be needed if we want to develop a new capital like Hyderabad. The UPA government had promised to give the funds for development of new capital city.

Naidu said even Naredra Modi also announced in Tirupati that the new capital city would be developed with all modern facilities. “We have to keep our promises given to the people who voted for us”. Naidu said the PM asked NITI Ayog to consider on the financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh. The Centre would soon come out with details, he added.

He also said there were problems on Schedule 10 of the Act. “I also urged the Centre to think about the development of the capital city. If there is no possibility to accord special status to AP, the Centre should think of giving more financial assistance to the State. The Centre has promised that it would extend more financial help to the State. (NSS)