Chandrababu fails to get ‘special’ assurance, returns empty handed

The Centre on Tuesday dashed the hopes of AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, when it said that all the things promised in the AP Reorganisation Act would be implemented.

This in effect means there would be no special status to the Andhra Pradesh. Even a special package appears to be a remote possibility. The Centre said a roadmap for implementing key provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act would be prepared and a final view on granting special status to the state would be taken reconciling with the Finance Commission's recommendations.

Chandrababu was virtually sent empty handed. He was in Delhi amid escalating pressure from the opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh on the demand for granting special status to the state as promised during bifurcation last year.

Briefing reporters, Jaitley said that NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya has been asked to discuss with the state  government implementation of Sections 46, 90 and 94 of the Act related to Polavaram Irrigation Project, Finance Commission's award and fiscal measures.

While Section 46 pertains to the award made by the 13th Finance Commission, Section 90 relates to the Polavaram Irrigation Project and Section 94 deals with the fiscal measures, including offer of tax incentives industrialisation and economic growth. Asked about the demand for Special Category status for Andhra Pradesh, Jaitley replied, “All those options have been discussed and reconciling it with what the Finance Commission has said, Panagirya will be in touch with the officers and taking a final view on this.”

Jaitley also said that the Prime Minister was of the view that the level of assistance assured in the Act should be given to the state government. The Prime Minister was of the clear view that whatever is in the Act that level of assistance has to be given to the state government, the Finance Minister said. The meeting between Modi and Naidu lasted for about one and half hours.