Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has represented to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to release the Central grant for the development of backward areas for the year 2017-18 as the year is coming to an end.
Mr. Rao met Mr. Jaitley in New Delhi on Thursday along with Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma , Principal Secretary to CM Narsing Rao and Principal Secretary, Finance, K. Ramakrishna Rao.
In a representation to Mr. Jaitley, the Chief Minister said the AP State Reorganisation Act, 2014, provided for Central Assistance for the development of backward areas in the State. Accordingly, Telangana government had submitted proposals seeking special package for development of nine out of 10 erstwhile districts of the State.
The Centre had recognised nine rural districts of Telangana as backward districts and sanctioned ₹450 crore each for the years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The first year grant was released in February 2016, second in December and the third year grant was released in August, 2017.
However for the financial year 2017-18, the grant of ₹450 crore has not been sanctioned yet, Mr. Rao said and requested the Union Minister to look into the issue and direct the officials concerned to release the amount at the earliest.
Mr. Rao also requested Mr. Jaitley to sanction All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Management as promised by the Centre. Mr. Rao said that if the Centre keeps its promise and sanctions AIIMS, the State is ready to allot the required land, besides providing basic facilities.
Union Minister Smriti Irani too had promised to sanction IIM and it should be done at the earliest, Mr. Rao said.
Mr. Rao, who discussed various financial issues with Mr. Jaitley, requested to him to continue the FRBM limit of 3.5% of GSDP to borrow loans. MP Jitendar Reddy also accompanied the team.
