Observing that the expectations of the State did not fructify in the Union Budget, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, in his joint address to the A.P. legislature on the opening day of the budget session on Saturday, said a more favourable response was awaited from the Centre.
The Governor said recommendations of the 14{+t}{+h}Finance Commission had not provided any special preference to the State despite requests for hand-holding support.
He said A.P. lost significant resource base after division and was at disadvantage to compete with its revenue-surplus neighbouring States. To compete with developed cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, the Centre should give required assistance to stand on a level-playing field vis-à-vis its neighbouring States. Recalling the assurances made in the A.P. Reorganisation Act and in the speech of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha to support the State on several fronts, including bridging revenue deficit, providing industrial incentives, special development package for backward areas in seven districts, assistance to State capital development, railway zone and Special Category status, he said the State had anticipated a more favourable support from the Centre.
He said Rs.650 crore was released under Hudhud cyclone as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of Rs.1,000 crore relief assistance, while Rs.350 crore under special development package for seven backward districts and ad hoc support of Rs.500 crore towards non-plan revenue were sanctioned.
Describing Polavaram project as the lifeline of A.P., Mr. Narasimhan said that earmarking a meagre amount of Rs.100 crore to the national project had put State’s plans in disarray. Not discouraged by the minimal allocation, he said all-out efforts would be made to complete “this dream project” by March 2018.
Mr. Narasimhan said relentless efforts were being made to bring the development agenda back on track and make A.P. one of the three high-performing States by 2022 and the best in the country by 2029.
