Chandrababu Naidu to raise bifurcation issues

Amaravati: The state government has decided to emphasise its rightful demands in the coming 4th NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting scheduled for June 17 in New Delhi. 

Especially, it will focus on the funds for construction of Polavaram project and other issues related to AP Reorganisation Act and the Special Category Status (SPC) in the meeting to be attended by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

During a review meeting on bifurcation issues and the agenda of NITI Aayog meeting at the Secretariat on Thursday, the Chief Minster said he would raise the Polavaram and other bifurcation issues in the meeting.

The Central government was releasing funds to the Polavaram project only after verifying the progress reports and records, but they were accusing the state government of not submitting Utilisation Certificates (UCs), he said.  

Speaking to the officials, the Chief Minister said that the state was the fastest growing state in the country during the last four years with the growth rate of 10.5 per cent  and this was possible only because of the consistent efforts of people and the government. 

He said that the issues related to AP Reorganisation Act and its improper implementations also must be raised at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting as it is the best platform to have deliberations on the betterment of the state which would eventually result in the growth of the country.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of support from the Centre, Naidu said the cooperation from Centre was lacking.  “Many obstacles came our way and the Central government didn’t facilitate our progress in any way. We are contributing to nation’s development to the best of our ability and the Centre must also recognise that and respect the sentiments of our people,” he said. 

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the Central government’s policies such as demonetisation, Naidu said that such measures had led to people losing trust in the government and institutions like banks, which was a very unfortunate development. “A consequence of demonetisation is cash crunch that the state is facing as people are reluctant to deposit money in the banks,” he said.  

He said he would certainly raise the issue of the currently weak service sector in the state which is a direct result of bifurcation at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting. 

Special Chief Secretary Satish Chandra, additional secretary to Chief Minister V Rajamouli, Secretary to Chief Minister Girija Shankar and Secretary (Planning) Sanjay Gupta attended the meeting along with other senior government officials.