After locking horns with the Centre over change of contractor of Polavaram project, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has raised the issue of Special Package to Andhra Pradesh and implementation of the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act. He asked the Centre to increase the Assembly seats in the State apart from bridging the revenue deficit that arose out of division of the State.
Mr. Naidu met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Friday.
Later, speaking to reporters, Mr. Naidu asserted, though in not so many words, that the things have come back to Square One with change in portfolios of Union Ministers and officials. He pointed out that the State government had to explain the issues concerning the Andhra Pradesh and Bifurcation Act with change in guard every time.
“We have been taking up the issues with Ministers concerned from time to time. It was Uma Bharti, who served as Union Water Resources Minister then and it is Nitin Gadkari now. Also, Finance Secretary is changed. We explained them about the Andhra Pradesh requirements and stressed the need to keep up the commitments made to the State,” he said
Mr. Naidu said he requested the Union Finance Minister to ensure that funds are not be a problem for the Polavaram project, which has been declared as a national project. The revenue deficit being faced by Andhra Pradesh was also brought to his notice and the Minister was requested him to bridge the gap, he said, adding, “We also stressed the need for early implementation of Special Package announced to Andhra Pradesh.”
Stating that it was responsibility of Union Home Ministry to implement the promises and assurances given in the Bifurcation Act, the Chief Minister said, “Mr. Rajnath Singh was requested to review the implementation. He should also take stock of issues that have to be resolved between both States”. The need to increase Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh was also discussed with him, he added.
