Special Category Status can be sorted out with talks: Union Minister Sripad

Vijayawada/Pithapuram: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shripad Naik stated that the Special Category Status (SCS) issue could be resolved if the leaders of both parties sit together and hold talks on it.

Inaugurating an Ayush research centre here on Thursday, Shripad Naik, however refused to elaborate on the SCS and added the leaders of both parties must decide on it.

Asserting that the BJP would win in the Karnataka elections, he said that nobody could be stopped from campaigning against anyone in Karnataka while referring to the presence of TDP cadre campaigning in Karnataka against the BJP.

Stating that the Ayush research centre here was constructed at a cost of Rs 10 crore, the Union minister said the research centres would come up in all the districts throughout the country to promote ayurvedic medicine.

He highlighted the importance of yoga, which has been accepted throughout the world. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for spreading yoga throughout the world. “Ayush doctors are working in all the primary health centres in the states,” he recalled.

Shripad Naik stated that 100 Ayush hospitals would be sanctioned throughout the country and added states have been asked to send proposals for establishing Ayush research centres.

Later, the Union Minister visited the Sripada Srivallabha temple at Pithapuram and performed special pujas at the temple. RDO Raghubabu, tahsildar B Suguna and BJP leaders accompanied the Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the Centre released crores of rupees to AP, but the State did not furnish an account of how the funds were spent. Moreover, it was found wanting in submission of the utilisation certificates, he said adding that the Centre was firm on fulfilling the promises made to the AP.