Govt in touch with Centre over assurances given to AP: Naidu

Vijayawada: Under attack from Opposition on special category status and other assurances given to the State, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said his Government is pursuing with the Centre, including NITI Ayog, the matter of realising the promises.

Chandrababu Naidu told reporters here that PM Modi has assured that they will implement all those mentioned in the Re-organisation Act in letter and spirit and will develop the State. He also said that NITI Ayog has been to prepare a roadmap, and they will give their report soon.

Recalling that he requested the Prime Minister to hand-hold the State Government as it is faced with fiscal deficit after bifurcation last year, Naidu said the expression meant giving special category status, development package, financial support and help through policy measures.

Noting that neighboring States, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and also Telangana, have massive revenue-generating cities as capitals, he said the Centre need to help AP till it achieved a level-playing field.

Andhra Pradesh would contribute to the Centre's revenues substantially once it is able to stands on its own feet, said Naidu, whose party TDP is in alliance with BJP in the State and also at the national level. Naidu said he thanked the PM for the help extended by the Centre to AP so far and taking measures beyond the Act on different fronts.

Modi laid the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh's capital city Amaravati at a village on the banks of River Krishna in Guntur district on Friday.

Source: PTI