Instead of passing the buck on who is responsible for the backwardness and politicising it, parties and all concerned should work together for its development, Forum for Development of North Andhra has demanded.
“Now that there is a consensus on the backwardness of the region in spite of rich resources and good rainfall, the Central and State governments should initiate specific steps for its development,” A. Aja Sarma, general secretary of the forum, said on Thursday.
He said the first and foremost step to be taken was to sanction a special development package to North Andhra, besides fulfilling all the other promises made in Section 46 of the AP Reorganisation Act.
Railway zone
Alleging that the governments’ actions were not up to the expectations of the people of the region, Mr. Sarma cited as example the delay in taking steps to sanction the new railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters.
Though the Chairman of the Railway Board made comments on the necessity of the zone, the MPs had not responded immediately, he said at a press conference here.
Funds were not allocated in a full-fledged manner to the IIM and Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, and land was not allotted for the proposed girijan university, Mr. Sarma said.
Metro Rail
The Act had promised Metro Rail to Visakhapatnam, which was now said to be under consideration for PPP mode, he said. Also, a ₹15,000 crore development package should be announced for completion of irrigation projects, he demanded.
Mr. Sarma urged the State government to press for implementation of the reorganisation Act. A research centre should be set up in Srikakulam to go into the chronic kidney diseases in the Uddhanam area. All industrial units that had been wound up should be revived. Similarly, agro-based industries should be encouraged and employment opportunities improved in the girijan areas, he added.
Besides, the required staff should be appointed in all the universities and hospitals in the region, he demanded. Forum treasurer B.B. Ganesh was present.