Naidu reiterates demand for SCS

Says he is committed to completing Polavaram irrigation project by 2019

February 23, 2018 12:42 am | Updated 12:42 am IST - ANANTAPUR

N. Chandrababu Naidu

N. Chandrababu Naidu

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday demanded that the Centre fulfil its promise of according Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh as the same was also being extended to other States.

Addressing a public meeting after attending the framework installation ceremony of the KIA Motors near Penukonda, Mr. Naidu said the Centre had tried to convince him by promising a special package saying that SCS was not possible following the 14th Finance Commission recommendations.

“They (Union government) promised to provide benefits on a par with SCS. But they didn’t give that. They have extended SCS to other States. This means what they told me is false. Hence, I demand that SCS be accorded to the State along with all other benefits promised,” said Mr. Naidu.

‘Division unscientific’

Accusing the Congress and the UPA Government of dividing the State in an unscientific manner, Mr. Naidu said the State had been left with a huge revenue deficit.

He accused the Union government of not keeping its promises with regard to bridging the deficit and funding several projects, including Polavaram.

“Though there is a delay of five months in the construction of the Polavaram project, I am committed to completing it by 2019,” said Mr. Naidu. He said a cumulative quantum of 200 tmcft would be drawn from the Godavari this year through lift irrigation projects such as the Purushottapatnam and Pattiseema.

Automobile hub

Mr. Naidu said the State would become an automobile hub in future as the KIA Motors facility could well become the largest in the world with abundant land bank, good connectivity to port, and a burgeoning demand in the country.

Taking pride in the fact that Andhra Pradesh had the most employable technical students in the country, he exhorted the people to take part in his dream to make A.P. a ‘Knowledge State.’

Mr. Naidu later left for the Puttaparthi airport by helicopter for his onward journey to Vijayawada.

I&PR Minister Kalava Srinivasulu, Women and Child Welfare Minister Paritala Sunita, and Penukonda legislator B.K. Parthasarathy were among others present at the public meeting.

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