Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu should make special efforts to develop north coastal Andhra districts and he should not view it as a narrow regional demand, Forum for Development of North Andhra demanded.
The members of the forum said here on Sunday that the Chief Minister had displayed a touch of impatience when the forum submitted a memorandum to him two days ago. The CM reportedly remarked that there was no need for a regional forum and that people should not be divided on the basis of region.
Taking exception to the comments, they said there was nothing improper or parochial in the demand, as the Union government had clearly stated in the AP Reorganisation Bill that the north coastal AP districts were economically backward. Therefore, the forum had been set up to press for its development. Vice chairman of the forum and MLC from North Andhra Graduates Constituency M.V.S Sarma and chairman of the forum and former Vice Chancellor of Andhra University K.V. Ramana and others wanted the State government to make a clear statement on the promised package for the region, how much had been sanctioned by the Centre and how much had been spent so far. Further, there was a need for clarity on the proposed railway zone at Visakhapatnam, captive iron ore mines for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, and the steps being taken by the State government to revive sick units in the region.
Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences was languishing for a long time and the government should also explain to the public how Hudhud funds given by the Centre had been spent and how much had been spent.
