Chandrababu seeks `special status’ for Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today urged the 14th Finance Commission to recommend special status, special packages and industrial initiatives for the state. Making a power-point presentation before the chairman and members of the commission in Tirupati, he said that Andhra Pradesh should not be treated on par with other states; great injustice was done to the state in bifurcation.Stating that upto Rs 5 lakh crore funds are required for the development of the state, he said that the Center should provide its share of atleast Rs 1.2 lakh crore towards construction of new capital city. He said that the centre should clear the lent amount of credited Rs. 10,400 Crore for the deprived state.

Naidu wants the state to have infrastructure with all the resources with a scope of development for more industries to build. He demanded the centre for 7% of Fiscal responsibility and budget management. He sought a special grant of Rs 45,000 from the center, besides annual share.He detailed his government’s vision of making the state as number one in the country by 2029 and transforming it as `Golden Andhra Pradesh’. He sought special packages for the development of Rayalaseema and North-Coastal regions of the state.He also sought waiver of all central loans and provide funds related to various central schemes as grants to the state. Naidu said he is aiming at making agriculture a profitable occupation and to give highest priority for tourism sector. He is aiming at achieving 100 per cent literacy in five to seven years.
To ensure faster development, the chief minister said he is proposing to set up special grids for drinking water, roads, electricity, gas and optic fiber. Special plans are under-way for setting up industrial and smart cities, he added.