Andhra Pradesh MPs will request the Union Home Ministry to frame guidelines under Section 8 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, and make necessary provisions to safeguard life, liberty and property of Seemandhra people in Hyderabad during the budget session of Parliament, beginning Monday.
This was one of the 35 issues identified to be raised by MPs at the customary meeting convened by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu here on Sunday on the eve of Parliament session.
Urging the Centre to make budgetary provisions for Rs. 9,700 crore towards Outer Ring Road (ORR) near Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali agglomeration, an initial grant of Rs. 5,000 crore for the new capital, provision of Rs.2,000 crore for Polavaram project and converting Rs.10,090 crore of loan amount advanced by the Government of India over the years into 90 per cent central grant, were among the other important issues, according to sources.
The meeting was attended by MPs belonging to TDP, BJP and two Congress Rajya Sabha members, while those from YSR Congress stayed away reportedly on the ground that they did not have advance intimation.
Later, talking to reporters Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu criticised the YSRC for not attending the meeting and said its leaders were more interested in politics rather than development of the State. The Chief Minister asked the MPs to collectively strive and ensure that the State secured substantial help from the Centre in terms of maximum grants. Besides raising the issue of Special Category Status to the State, special incentives and special package for the four Rayalaseema and the three north coastal districts, the MPs would request the Centre to fully bear the State’s budget deficit of Rs.15,000 crore, fund development of three mega cities and 11 smart cities, new airports at Kadapa, Anantapur, Ongole and Bobbili and metro rail project between Vijayawada and Tenali, among others. On the location of the new capital, Mr. Ramakrishudu said the Chief Minister would discuss the issue with the Sivaramakrishnan committee.
AP government’s special representative in Delhi, K. Ram Mohan Rao, said the need for expeditious sanctioning of railway projects and various institutionswas also highlighted at the meeting. Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said detailed discussions were held on the issues and steps were being taken to address the problems.
