Naidu bats for level-playing field for A.P.

He seeks necessary help from Centre for State to compete with other southern States

Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu operating the earth moving machine, signalling start of desiltation works at the village tank in Polavaram, near Mundlamuru in Prakasam district on Saturday.Photo: Kommuri SrinivasT

Defending the Centre on the special status, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu made a strong plea to the Union government for extending all necessary support to the new state till it got a level-playing field with its neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. “When injustice was being done to A.P., it was Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley who fought on the floor of Rajya Sabha and got assurance on special status. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken the country forward in many respects in the past 11 months and I have firm belief in his leadership,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Naidu was addressing a well-attended meeting at Vidyanagar after laying foundation stone for Rs. 500 crore National Institute of Ocean Technology at Thupilipalem, the site where the Dugarajapatnam port was proposed to be set up in the past.

Seeking substantial support from the Centre, Mr. Naidu said AP would be able to compete with other states only when the Union government supports it to reach a level-playing field.

Union Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said some parties and organisations were objecting to acquisition of land for the developmental projects. Union Ministers Harsh Vardhan and Y.S. Chowdary, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana and other leaders were present.

Alleging that the then Congress-led UPA government had, in an unscientific manner, divided the State even without deciding on capital, he said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the provisions under the AP State Reorganisation Act and other promises made by the Centre to the State were fully implemented.

Addressing a meeting at Polavaram in Prakasam district after inspecting water conservation works, the Chief Minister said he was making efforts to get maximum Central funds to the state. “I have the will power to develop the new State. I will definitely do it,” he said. ''Donakonda will be developed into an industrial city'', he added.

Mr Naidu, who earlier interacted with agricultural labourers involved in desilting of the village water tank, took full responsibility for inter-linking of major rivers including Godavari and Krishna to make best use of the available water.