Naidu hits out at Centre over unfulfilled promises to AP

Anantapuram (AP), Aug 15: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today launched yet another attack on the Narendra Modi government saying it "failed to honour the promises" made to the state and vowed to not rest until he drew the "last paisa" from the Centre.

"They (Central government) are not releasing funds to bridge our revenue deficit (caused by the state bifurcation). They are not releasing funds for the Polavaram irrigation project nor are they trying to resolve the contentious issues between the two states (AP and Telangana)," the Chief Minister said on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day.

He was addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag and reviewing a guard of honour at the Independence Day celebrations at Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy grounds here today. He demanded that the Centre honour its promise and grant special category status to the state and also establish a new railway zone at Visakhapatnam.

"We are constantly negotiating with the Centre for fulfillment of promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act-2014 and also release of funds promised therein. I requested Prime Minister Modi many times to support AP till it developed at par with other states. We are fighting uncompromisingly for fulfillment of all promises made by the Centre at the time of bifurcation," Chandrababu pointed out.

"I will not rest till we draw the last paisa (due to the state) from the Centre. I need people's cooperation in this regard," he added. Despite the financial constraints, his government was doing everything for the overall development of all regions in the state, the Chief Minister said.

He reiterated the government's goal to make AP one of the top three states in the country by 2022 and the top state by 2029.

"By 2050, we should become the top in the world in attracting investments," he added. Last year, AP recorded an economic growth rate of 10.99 per cent as against the country's 7.5 per cent, he said.

Ministers Paritala Sunitha, P R Reddy, Chief Whip Kalva Srinivasulu, district Collector Kona Sasidhar and others were also present.

PTI