Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Assembly adopted a resolution on Wednesday requesting the Centre to expeditiously implement all provisions contained in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014, including grant of Special Category Status to the state.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution under Rule 77 in the Assembly listing 17 main issues that the state wants the Centre to address immediately.
The Telugu Desam apparently decided to move the resolution as Congress raised the issues of grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh and implementation of other provisions of AP Reorganisation Act.
"While thanking the Union Government for the efforts made in resolving certain issues pertaining to the state reorganisation, the House unanimously resolves to request the Government of India to expeditiously implement all the provisions contained in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 and assurances made in Parliament and to continue to handhold the state till it achieves level-playing field on par with neighbouring states," the resolution said.
The AP government also sought implementation of Section 8 that pertains to law and order maintenance issues in the joint capital Hyderabad under the direct supervision of the Governor, who is also common for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Some of the main issues that the Andhra Pradesh government wants the Centre to address are release of balance grant to bridge the resource gap; completion of Polavaram irrigation project, which has been declared a national project, by 2018; fiscal measures like tax incentives to promote industrialisation and economic growth and provision of special financial support for the new capital.
Construction of Railway Zone at Visakhapatnam; increase number of seats in the Legislative Assembly from 175 to 225; amend Presidential Order pertaining to local status with regard to education and employment; establishment of steel plant at Kadapa, port at Dugarajapatna and amend the AP Reorganisation Act to correct anomalies pertaining to taxation issues, are some of the other issues underlined by the Assembly.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in Rajya Sabha that all commitments made towards Andhra Pradesh in letter and spirit would be fulfilled.
"Centre is fully committed to helping the newly created state after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. There are several commitments, which are involved in the AP Reorganisation Act. Centre is going to honour each one of those commitments in letter and spirit," the Finance Minister said.
Referring to the revenue deficit, Jaitley said, "Each paisa or rupee of this revenue deficit is being paid to Andhra Pradesh. We will continue to pay that".
He said institutions have to be set up in Andhra Pradesh. Foundation stones have been laid, funds have been sanctioned and in some cases work is also in an advance stage, he said.
On the new capital, Jaitley said the state is making considerable "headway" towards it. Funds have been sanctioned and more would be released towards it, he added.
Keeping the limitations of the 14th Finance Commission and resources, "Whatever commitment have been made is going to be honoured", the Minister said.
