Hyderabad: In a debate marked by sharp exchanges between the ruling TDP and opposition YSR Congress, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution seeking Special Category Status (SCS) for the state.
"This House unanimously resolves to request Government of India to accord Special Category Status to the State of Andhra Pradesh and further resolves to recommend Government of India to implement all the provisions contained in AP State Reorganisation Act, 2014 and assurances made by the then Prime Minister of India on the floor of Rajya Sabha on 20th February, 2014," the resolution, moved by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, said.
The assurances include fiscal measures like tax incentives to promote industrialisation and economic growth, special financial support for the new capital, special development package.
Release of balance grant to bridge the revenue deficit, establishment of educational institutions, and provision of infrastructure facilities provided in Schedule XIII and implementation of Section 8.
It also include early completion of Polavaram irrigation project and all other commitments made in the Act and assurances made in the Parliament to enable the state to achieve level playing field on par with neighbouring states.
The adoption of the resolution was preceded by a statement by Naidu who spoke extensively on the "undemocratic" manner in which the UPA government bifurcated the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh last year and problems being faced by the new state on account of it.
Noting that he suggested consultations with all stakeholders and convincing all before the division, Naidu, however, said, "My requests were ignored by the then UPA government which bifurcated the state in a hasty manner and paved the way for prolonged litigation and acrimony between the successor states."
The "faulty" process of bifurcation resulted in residuary state having no capital city of its own and series of conflicts (between AP and Telangana) relating to various institutions and a slew of other problems like allotment of government staff and water sharing, he said.
"It's quite painful to observe that during the process of bifurcation, different criteria were followed for division of assets and liabilities between the two states. For instance, the immovable properties were divided on the basis of population, division of power was done based on consumption and staff based on population," he said.
Observing that AP has several reasons for being qualified as a 'Special Category State', Naidu said it would be the only state, other than SCS, that would have a revenue gap even in 2019-20 after the 42 per cent devolution of funds to states.
"It is evident from the 14th Finance Commission Report that Andhra Pradesh would be the only state other than the Special Category States that would have subsisting revenue gap even in 2019-20, and potentially, afterwards.”
Even states that have been traditionally fragile from the fiscal stability angle, such as Odisha, Bihar and Rajasthan, would have a revenue surplus after 42 per cent devolution starting 2015-16 FY," he said.
Naidu read out the statement made by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha on the AP Reorganisation Bill.
The statement said: "First, for purposes of Central assistance, SCS will be extended to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts, including the four districts of Rayalaseema and three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years. This will put the state's finances on a firmer footing".
Asserting that his government has been pursuing with the Centre for realising the promises made to the state, Naidu said he has placed a charter of demands before Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent meeting in Delhi.
The demands include - granting special category status, grant for bridging the resource gap pertaining to FY 2014-15, assistance for development of Rayalaseema and North Coastal district, financial assistance to the capital city, incentives for industrial development.
Establishment of institutions guaranteed in the Schedule XIII, assistance for research and training institutions, early completion of Polavaram project and coordination mechanism for resolution of outstanding issues.
Affirming that his government would relentlessly work to realise the benefits for AP, Naidu appealed to the people not to take the extreme step of ending their lives in support of the demand.
The chief minister's appeal came in the wake of alleged suicides in recent weeks over special status demand for AP.
Meanwhile, the debate on special status saw a sharp war of words between the treasury benches and the opposition YSR Congress.
Charging that Naidu has failed in securing special status, opposition leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy alleged that the CM has "mortgaged" AP's interests with Centre to save himself from the recent cash-for-vote scandal in Telangana. Reddy asked if Naidu can set a deadline for the NDA government to grant special status.
Countering Reddy's allegations, Naidu said he has already denied the allegations and that he would not fear for anybody as he "lived like fire".
During the debate, labour minister K Atchannaidu alleged that the YSRCP colluded with the ruling TRS in Telangana to defame the TDP.
Reddy helped a certain person in Telangana in getting an official position, Atchannaidu claimed, which was refuted by the former.
Reddy said he threw a challenge at the minister to prove the charge, while Atchannaidu claimed he had a proof. Taking an exception to the YSRC members allegedly using foul language and behaving in an objectionable manner in the House, Naidu said the members of ruling TDP-BJP should behave in a dignified manner.
BJP floor leader Vishnukumar Raju said the NDA government has already given funds and some other help to AP and that the state BJP would continue to make efforts to get all the benefits, including special status.
