Niti Ayog is considering the issue of conferring special category status on Andhra Pradesh and it was not fair on part of some political parties to make undue criticism on the subject, Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Friday.
Speaking to media persons here, Mr. Naidu said that he personally met Niti Ayog members and outlined the circumstances of Andhra Pradesh and the issue was under consideration. “The union government is aware of its responsibilities and will fulfil all its promises,” he quipped.
Those who did nothing when in power were making a lot of noise on the issue now, charged Mr. Naidu and quipped, “after losing power and coming into the Opposition, they seem to remember it”. Special status does benefit a state but it does not solve all the problems. “Eleven states have the status but they still continue to seek assistance,” the Union Minister said.
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Mr. Naidu said Sidddipet in Telangana and Srikalahasti and Kavali in Andhra Pradesh have been nominated for Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) cities. Cities that won nomination as Smart Cities would be submitting their detailed project reports by December 15, based on which 20 cities would be selected for the first year, he added.