Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi, highlighting some of the State’s concerns, including a tough financial situation.

Leading a delegation that included State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, State Chief Secretary SP Tucker, and Principal Secretary (Finance) PV Ramesh, Naidu held a long meeting, seeking the Centre’s support for the State.

Issues discussed

Later interacting with newspersons, he said that the Prime Minister has assured to look into all demands and see how they could be addressed at the earliest. During his meeting with the Prime Minister, Naidu, while highlighting the tough financial situation the State was passing through, yet again made a case for allocation of additional funds to take up new projects, completion of the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project – which is faced with cost overruns – and for development of the Greenfield capital city of Amaravati.

Apart from the agenda of highlighting the severe drought situation, and seeking financial assistance to get over the calamity, the Naidu delegation has also taken up the matter of special category status assured to the residual State during bifurcation, back in 2014.

Special status

The special category status is still elusive and the Centre has given no word yet on it.

Later during the meeting with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the issue of financial support for the capital city was discussed.

Highlighting the financial situation, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh will have a revenue deficit all through the five-year term. This needs to be addressed immediately by providing funds and bridging the gap.

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