VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday maintained that the state government had accepted special package in lieu of special category status (SCS) as the Centre was not extending SCS to any other state.
Responding to the Chalo Assembly march organised by left parties demanding SCS, Naidu, while speaking in the House, said the topic would soon be taken up in the ongoing Session.
“I am not ignoring their (opposition parties’) concern about forgoing SCS, but want to emphasise that the Centre is not according the status to any state. In fact, it has promised to fulfil all the benefits under SCS through the special package. It will benefit the state greatly, as Andhra Pradesh is in dire need of funds,’’ Naidu said.
Asserting that the state government will not compromise on the promises made by the Centre with regard to the AP Reorganisation Act, he said the package had not yet been finalised so it would take some time to “get clarity on the benefits that will come the state’s way”.
He added that the status report on the promises mentioned in the AP Reorganisation Act would be placed before the House in the winter session. Taking a dig at the Opposition, Naidu said those creating law and order problems in the state should try raising their voice in Delhi.
“I have visited Delhi several times and discussed the problems of the state. I spoke to Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari over phone about the Polavaram project yesterday and got a positive response from him on expediting the works. We are making sincere efforts to complete the project on time. As far as the Centre is concerned, Andhra Pradesh is just one among all the 29 states.
So we have to accept whatever they give us and fight for more,’’ the Chief Minister said. He also suggested that BJP leaders of the state take issues pertaining to Andhra Pradesh to the notice of the Centre.