Package to replace special status for Andhra

HYDERABAD: As the Union government is trying to buy time to implement the promises made to Andhra Pradesh, the ruling TDP appears to have begun a 'damage control exercise' in order to rekindle hopes of the people on NDA government's commitment to help the reorganised AP.

At a time when the opposition parties started questioning the 'silence' maintained by the TDP, which is sharing power with the BJP at the Centre and in the State, on the non-fulfilment of the promises made to AP during bifurcation, Union minister of state for science and Technology YS Chowdary, trusted lieutenant of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, hurriedly organised a press conference to claim that the NDA government was trying to fulfil each promise.

But Chowdary's impromptu press meet further compounded the confusion on the issue of whether the Centre will really come to the rescue of cash-starved AP and keep the promises made to the reorganised State during the passage of the AP Reorganisation Act-2014.

During the lengthy press conference, the Union minister not only failed to give clarity on the promises so far kept by the Centre, but also dropped a bombshell by stating that the Centre might further cut down its financial aid to the State to help it overcome revenue deficit.

'In fact, during the time of bifurcation of the State, it was estimated that the reorganised AP would have Rs 15,000 crore revenue deficit. But after Naidu took over the reins of the State administration, because of his efficient efforts, the government succeeded in reducing this revenue deficit,' he said.

'Hence, the Centre now wants to assess how much money is really required for AP to fill the gap. After estimating this, the Centre will decide whether to give Rs 7,000 crore or some more to the State,' he added.

Chowdary could not indicate the quantum of money the Centre would provide to AP to construct the new capital city, which Naidu wants to replicate Singapore city in every aspect.

Stating that the State government had requested the Centre to release money for the construction of the capital in a phased manner for five years, the minister said the Centre would release Rs 2,000 crore in the first instalment for this purpose in a fortnight.

Interestingly, Chowdary disagreed with this statement a few minutes later, saying that the Centre would give Rs 1,000 cr to the State in the first instalment.

Further shattering the hopes of people on the possibility of the Centre according special category status to AP, the Union Minister indicated that the Centre might not fulfil this promise.

He said, 'Even if the Centre doesn't accord special category status to AP, it will not make any difference as the Union government is trying to give special package to the State by way of giving concessions in the Central projects.'

'If the special status is accorded to AP, we will get 90 per cent funds from the Centre. But, by giving special package to AP in various projects, the Centre is providing 70 per cent financial aid to the State. So, I don't see any difference between special status and special package,' he asserted.

Recalling all promises made to AP in the Reorganisation Act such as setting up national level institutes, developing airports and ports, Chowdary said, 'If some promises are being implemented, some are in the pipeline and some more are being examined by various departments. At the end of the day, all promises will be kept one by one.'

He then made an interesting statement saying, 'Nothing can be done overnight. We are exerting pressure on the Centre to fulfil all the promises. Once the Union Budget is introduced, we will get an idea about the exact time period it takes to implement each promise.'

The Union Minister tried to keep the hopes of people of AP alive on the promises of the Centre, saying, 'We are not only able to extract the projects promised in the State Reorganisation Act, but also so far succeeded in getting a few other projects, which were not mentioned in the Act, with Naidu's credibility.'