HYDERABAD: Leave alone special status, Andhra Pradesh is unlikely to get even special financial package, which is due for the reorganised State, post-bifurcation.
If official sources are to be believed, the ensuing Union Budget might not consider giving a financial package to AP.
According to sources, this was hinted by the Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagaria, during his interaction with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada on Wednesday.
It is learnt that when Naidu had sought a liberal gesture from the Centre to AP to construct the new capital city, the Polavaram Irrigation Project and to take up other development works, Arvind Panagaria reportedly made it clear that a Bihar-like package might not be given to AP in the coming days.
However, he is learnt to have promised to the Chief Minister that Rs 3,000 crore would be given to AP to meet its needs, during the ensuing Union budget.
Sources in the finance department disclosed that this amount would be given to AP to fill the revenue deficit, provide financial assistance for the construction of the capital city and also for the construction of the Polavaram Project.
“Coming to the issue of special package to backward Rayalaseema and North Andhra, the Centre might announce Rs 700 crore for the coming fiscal year,” said source.
In fact, for the current financial year, the Centre had released a Rs 350 crore package for backward regions in the State.
According to sources, following this, AP ministers have been asked by Chief Minister Naidu to put in efforts to get AP’s pound of flesh from Delhi from their respective ministries.
“Whatever is due to AP from the Centre as per the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, should be pursued. Each minister should make efforts to get more funds from their respective departments at the Centre by the end of the current fiscal year.
So, all of you try to visit Delhi frequently to convince Union Ministers to grant more funds to our State,” Naidu reportedly told his ministers, during a meeting with them.
Not So Great Expectations
A Bihar-like package might not be given to AP in the coming days
Rs 3,000 crore likely to be given to bridge revenue deficit and for capital and Polavaram project construction
Backward Rayalaseema, North Andhra may get Rs 700 crore