For the second consecutive day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extracted an assurance from the Centre to give top priority to Polavaram project and provide funds for its speedy completion.
After his meeting with Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati on Monday, he called on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday and discussed the issue of Central support for Polavaram and other irrigation projects as also highways development.
Later talking to reporters at New Delhi, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y.S. Chowdhary said that Mr. Jaitley was reminded that Rs.690 crore was promised to Andhra Pradesh under 13th Finance Commission grants, but was yet to be released. Besides, the funds committed by the Centre needed to be released for expediting the works of Polavaram project before March next.
He said that the Finance Ministry’s support was sought for highways connectivity between Benguluru and the proposed capital city of Amaravati via Rayalaseema.
Mr.Chowdhary said taht the Finance Minister responded positively and assured to give top priority to Polavaram Project. Mr. Jaitley promised that there would be no funds constraint and also mentioned that he had received a letter in this regard from Ms. Uma Bharati.
