Hon Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu met theHonorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Hon Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu met theHonorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s residence at 10:15am today. Hon CM congratulated the Hon PM on assuming the charge of theoffice of Prime Minister of India for third consecutive term and reposedconfidence in his leadership. Hon CM further stated that in this historicalelection, which saw an unprecedented victory of NDA coalition, the people ofAndhra Pradesh have emphatically placed their trust in NDA coalitionGovernment, thereby granting both leaders a significant mandate to fulfil theirpromises and commitments.
Hon 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 previous administration marked by malice, corruption and mis-governance has dealt a more deleterious blow to the state than bifurcation itself.
He brought the following to the attention of Hon PM- The fiscal situation in Andhra Pradesh has significantly deteriorated due to the previous government’s misadventures and absence of a strategic long-term development plan. On account of unproductive expenditure & fiscal hara-kiri marked by exploitation of natural resources for personal use and no focus on development of human resources; growth has plummeted, revenue receipts have tapered and liabilities have peaked. The aspirations of 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 Polavaram project, water resources, roads and capital city. Hon PMfurther discussed the steps, which could be taken to meet the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
Hon CM indicated that Andhra Pradesh continues to be severely constrained by 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. The situation has reached such an impasse due to 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 challenge except by way of financial handholding by the central government.
He sought Government of India’s cooperation in the following matters:
- Handholding of state finances in short term
- Gol’s support in commissioning of the marquee Polavaram National Irrigation 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, irrigation and drinking water projects.
- Support to the backward regions of Andhra Pradesh on lines of Bundelkhand package.
- Support to the State for development of Duggirajupatnam port
Meeting was very positive & focussed on positive outcomes for the state of Andhra Pradesh.
