Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has declared he is firm on Special Category Status to the Andhra Pradesh as promised in the Rajya Sabha at the time of bifurcation. “On behalf of 5 crore people of AP, I am demanding the Prime Minister to fulfil our demands immediately”, Naidu said in the Assembly. “We are demanding special status as a right to Andhra Pradesh as it was already injured. There is a need to achieve this right”, he clarified.
“Honour all the provisions made in the AP Reorganisation Act and implement them. Implement all the assurances made in Rajya Sabha. Respect the sentiments of the people by giving Special Category Status”, he repeatedly demanded.”The centre has the responsibility as the BJP included special status in its election manifesto and fought for Special status and made them announce in Rajya Sabha”, Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday in the AP Assembly during a reply to Governor’s address.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tirupati promised that he will cooperate for building a capital that will outsmart New Delhi. But with the IJ 2500 crores they gave, is it possible to build such a capitalIJ We need more than IJ 42,000 crores to create the required infrastructure in Amaravati”, he said.
“Despite having lot of difficulties, hurdles and troubles, I have been patient. Till my last breath, I will fight for Telugus”, he warned,”Prime Minister himself told in the parliament that TDP was born out of disrespect meted out to Telugu pride. We are facing so many difficulties. I went to Delhi 29 times to ask for our demands. Still, the centre is not showing any kindness”.”Congress which did injustice to AP is now saying it will give special status to AP when it comes to power in future. But, why the centre is not giving Special Category StatusIJ”, he questioned.
“Arun Jaitley promised that the Centre will do justice to AP through Special Assistance Measure by giving all the benefits equivalent to according SCS. But, we haven’t even received one paise under SAM and it is not implemented yet. During bifurcation time Arun Jaitley Who was in opposition demanded Special category status but Why Now Arun Jaitley is Showing Apathy and negligence to Special category StatusIJ”, he demanded the clarification.
“14th Finance Commission did not say not to accord Special Category Status. When the centre told it would not accord Special Category Status to any state and will give all benefits of Special Status through Special Assistance Measure, we asked for it. I went to Delhi 29 times, and sent our ministers, MPs and officers to Delhi several times. But, till date no positive action is being taken by the Centre”, he told.
While explaining about finances, Naidu said,”During Governor’s rule in AP, Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) calculated 16,000 Crores as revenue deficit to successor state of Andhra Pradesh. These are not our accounts. They were given by CAG. So far, only IJ 4,000 Crores was released from the centre. We demand the centre to release the remaining amount immediately. We have spent 13,054 Crores on Polavaram, but the centre has released only 5,349 Crores so far”.
Strongly objecting, Naidu said,”The centre is now leaking the news that it has released more than IJ 12,000 Crores so far and the state has not submitted the Utilisation Certificates (UC). Will anyone submit UC for 4000 Crores received towards bridging revenue deficitIJ”, Naidu questioned and clarified,”We have submitted UCs for IJ 4,000 crores released for Polavaram project. We have also submitted UCs for `1008 crores for `1500 crores released towards building Amaravati. Also, we have been submitting UCs for all the funds in timely manner”.
“As per the bifurcation act, Visakhapatnam Railway Zone needs to be set up within six months but in four years, they have been delaying it in the name of committee after committee. For setting up of 11 national institutions in the state, only IJ 421 crores is released so far against `11,500 crores that is needed for the construction of these institutions. What is the status of setting up of petro-chemical complex in Kakinada and a steel plant in Kadapa as per bifurcation ActIJ They promised to give IJ 2100 crores to 7 backward districts in AP, but they are also not fully released while for Bundelkhand package, UP drawn IJ 2110 Crores and MP IJ 2574 Crores”, Naidu exposed.