Andhra Pradesh CM calls on PM Modi; seeks financial assistance from Centre

New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital, where Andhra CM sought the central government's support on significant matters pertaining to the state's development.
He further congratulated PM Modi on assuming the charge of the office of Prime Minister of India for third consecutive term and reposed confidence in his leadership.
Andhra CM further stated that in this historical election, which saw an unprecedented victory of NDA coalition, the people of Andhra Pradesh have emphatically placed their trust in the NDA coalition government, thereby granting both leaders a significant mandate to fulfil their promises and commitments.
The CM further highlighted the fact that Andhra Pradesh continues to grapple with the repercussions of the unscientific, unfair, and unjust bifurcation of 2014.
Additionally, the miserable governance of the previous administration, marked by malice, corruption and misgovernance, has dealt a more deleterious blow to the state than bifurcation itself.
He brought the following to the attention of the PM: the fiscal situation in Andhra Pradesh has significantly deteriorated due to the previous government's misadventures and the absence of a strategic long-term development plan. On account of unproductive expenditure and fiscal hara-kiri marked by exploitation of natural resources for personal use and no focus on the development of human resources; growth has plummeted, revenue receipts have tapered and liabilities have peaked. The aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh were paid no heed by the previous government, as the wake of its misgovernance is marked by huge unpaid liabilities, no investment in crucial infrastructure like the Polavaram project, water resources, roads and capital city.
They both discussed the steps that could be taken to meet the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
The CM indicated that Andhra Pradesh continues to be severely constrained by a lack of financial resources.
Committed expenses, including salaries, pensions, and debt servicing, exceed the state's revenue receipts, leaving no fiscal space for productive capital investment, he said.
The situation has reached such an impasse due to the gross mismanagement of state finances by the previous government. Indiscriminate borrowing, marked by hypothecation of future excise revenues and pledging of government buildings, combined with large scale diversion of monies, has resulted in a situation of high public expectation and acute scarcity of resources. There is no other way to face such a challenge except by way of financial handholding by the central government, he said.
He sought the Government of India's cooperation in the handholding of state finances in the short term, government's support in the commissioning of the marquee Polavaram National Irrigation Project.
CM Naidu further sought comprehensive financial support for the completion of the government complex and trunk infrastructure of the capital city of Amaravati and incentives for Industrial development.
He further demanded consideration for an additional allocation under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, targeting essential sectors such as roads, bridges, irrigation and drinking water projects.
"Support to the backward regions of Andhra Pradesh on lines of the Bundelkhand package and support to the state for the development of Duggirajupatnam port," he said.
CM Naidu further said that the meeting was very positive and focused on positive outcomes for the state of Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)