YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has said that according Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh is the need of the hour for the State to witness all-round development.
Addressing students during ‘Yuvabheri, organised as part of the ongoing agitation for the coveted status here on Thursday, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy said that the special tag was essential to bring in incentives, tax exemptions and Central grants, which in turn would motivate investors to set up industries in the State, leading to creation of more job opportunities.
Lashing out at Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for trying to dilute the cause and discourage a debate on the issue in Parliament, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy asked the youth to join hands with opposition parties to keep the issue alive until the demand was met.
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Continuing his tirade against Mr. Naidu, the YSRC president said that the Chief Minister was trying to project that the SCS was not the panacea to the problems plaguing the State.
“This is uncalled for. In fact, Mr. Naidu should have led the struggle from the front as he is in power. But he is not, primarily because of his alleged involvement in the note-for-vote scam,” Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy said.
Replying to a question, Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy said that a State having special status would receive 90 per cent Central funds as grants. On the contrary, those without the tag would receive only 30 per cent funds as grants. Also, the special status would bestow tax benefits and incentives, which would immensely help the State.
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Election-eve promises
He accused Mr. Naidu of failing to fulfil his election-eve promises of creating at least one job for each family and providing Rs. 2,000 per month for unemployed youth.
MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, MLAs Kakani Govardhan Reddy and Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy and senior advocate E.V. Rami Reddy were among the others present at the programme. A large number of students attended.