Sending out a clear message that he is for resolution of issues in an amicable manner with the Telangana Government, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said what they need now is a peace and a negotiation room.
Be it Polavaram project, power and water sharing, both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments will have to mutually cooperate and coordinate to go forward, he said. “I also appeal to the Telangana Government through this House to extend its cooperation to complete the Polavaram project in three years,” Mr. Naidu said during his reply to the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor’s Address in the Legislative Council on Tuesday.
People voted for Telugu Desam with a lot of hope and trust to help them get out of crises post State bifurcation as the UPA Government adopted different principles for distribution of assets, liabilities and power without any rationale.
Explaining his stand on Power Purchase Agreements with the Distribution Companies, he reiterated that they would honour PPAs approved by the Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Those PPAs not accepted by the REC would be used by the State first and the surplus would be given to Telangana, he added.
‘Happy Andhra Pradesh’Sharing anecdotes and indulging in light hearted banter, much to the delight of the members in the midst of his reply, he said he was not only committed to transform Andhra Pradesh into Swarnandhra Pradesh but also Happy Andhra Pradesh.
“We will soon be preparing guidelines for Happy Indicators, a concept popular in Bhutan,” he said. Seeking suggestions from every one for turning around every sector and revamping education, health care, sanitation, uplift of SC, ST, BC, minorities and women, he said he has an open mind and will take and acknowledge good suggestions.
He exuded confidence that the State with a good coastline, ports and airports, could turn the crisis into opportunity with special category status, tax incentives and special package for north Andhra and Rayalaseema promised as part of State reorganisation.
Vowing to clamp down on belt shops and put an end to red sanders smuggling, he said his goal would be to provide transparent administration and make Andhra Pradesh a knowledge hub.
Responding to Teacher MLCs, he said priority would be given for improving quality of education in government schools and streamline government hospitals.
