Senior Congress leader and MP KVP Ramachandra Rao introduced a private member bill in the Rajya Sabha on Friday seeking special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
He sought for private bill as the promises made by Union Government to AP state, during bifurcation have not been met yet.
“The then Prime Minister announced specific steps to address the concerns of all regions during bifurcation, particularly of Seemandhra, including special category status to the successor state of AP for a period of five years. Post-bifurcation the residuary state of AP has lost significant resource base and therefore remains at a disadvantageous state when compared to neighbouring revenue surplus states. The fund crunch and resource-wise disadvantage are not the making of AP,” wrote Ramachandra Rao in the statement of objects and reasons for the bill.
“It was assured by the government that necessary grants would be provided in the current budget which has not been done in spite of assurances to support AP state on several fronts, including bridging revenue deficit, providing industrial incentives, special development package for backward areas of Rayalaseema and northern coastal Andhra, assistance to state capital development, railway zone for the state and special category status. Hence this bill,” further stated KVP in the Private member bill’s objects.
KVP has also laid dowm about the probable financial expenditure to be borne by Union government if special status is granted, in the financial memorandum of the bill. Accordingly, it is estimated that a sum of `50,000 crore may involve as recurring expenditure per annum and non recurring expenditure to the tune of `one lakh crore may also involve for creating assets.
The move to introduce the bill is seen as part of Congress party’s revival efforts.
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