PM Narendra Modi agrees to special package to Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly agreed to a special mega package for AP in lieu of Special Category Status as is demanded by AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders of various political parties.
After the Union Cabinet meeting held in the South Block office of the PM early on Wednesday, Union ministers Arun Jaitley and M. Venkaiah Naidu, along with BJP national president Amit Shah met the Prime Minister and discussed the special package that was worked out among the ministers.
The Prime Minister enquired from both Venkaiah Naidu and Amit Shah whether they had consulted Mr Chandrababu Naidu and sought his reaction over the special mega package.
Amit Shah is learnt to have conveyed to the Prime Minister that he has already spoken to the Chief Minister about the special package.
Meanwhile, at a media interaction, BJP national secretary and AP Party Affairs in-charge Siddardhnath Singh said that it was not possible to grant Special Category Status to AP in view of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations.
Mr Singh did however say that in lieu of the special status, a comprehensive special financial package would soon be announced by the Centre.