Naidu's list: Budget for Andhra Pradesh, ministry-linked demands
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers on Thursday to push for specific budget and ministry-specific demands for the debt-ridden state.
A key ally of BJP-led NDA government, Naidu is eyeing enhanced assistance for Andhra Pradesh as it is evident that a 'special category' status is unlikely to be granted. According to sources, Naidu met the PM for about 20 minutes.
Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a vital partner in the NDA government, sought enhanced assistance for Andhra Pradesh if the special category status cannot be granted to the state.
According to sources, Naidu discussed Andhra Pradesh's high debt in his meeting with Modi while pointing out that the state's debt had increased to over ₹13 lakh crore under the previous YSRCP government without creation of any vital infrastructure.
Naidu also sought early release of Centre's arrears in the Polavaram irrigation project — a long-standing demand of the state since the scope of project has changed leading to cost escalation. Naidu specifically sought handholding of state finances in short term, support in commissioning of the marquee Polavaram project, comprehensive financial support for completion of the government complex and trunk infrastructure of the capital city of Amaravati, incentives for industrial development, consideration for an additional allocation under the scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, targeting essential sectors such as roads, bridges,
