Centre should sanction Special Category Status to State, says CM

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reiterated the need of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh during a meeting with Sadhikara Mitra team at his residence at Undavalli on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister also announced that he would fight with the Centre against its ‘non-cooperation’ to the development of Andhra Pradesh. “The UPA government, which had bifurcated AP, made several promises in AP Reorganisation Act for the development of Andhra Pradesh.

Though NDA came into power four years ago, it has failed to extend cooperation for development of the State, he regretted. It is yet to fulfil the promises made in AP Reorganisation Act, he pointed out.

The NDA government said it could not accord Special Category Status to AP due to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission and offered special package, Naidu said.

“But the Centre has not implemented even the special package. I went to Delhi 29 times and met Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers which yielded no results. We need Special Category Status to the state. We want more industries for the State,” he said.  

Naidu also reminded that the BJP was also responsible for division of the State.“I will not relent and fight with the Centre until funds are released to AP. 

The five crore people of the State had believed in BJP and that the party would help the State to overcome the crisis after bifurcation. Now all the people in the state are waging united fight against the Centre demanding justice to Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

The Chief Minister told the Centre that people cannot suffer due to the errors of governments. “We are once again requesting the Centre to give handholding until AP reaches a level playing field other with South Indian States,” he said.

Naidu also said that he was developing the State in all sectors with the cooperation of people even though the Centre was not extending its support. “I will continue the spirit and develop the State. Andhra Pradesh will be the No.1 State by 2029,” he reiterated. The Chief Minister also interacted with women in self-help groups of Kurnool district.