Vijayawada: Chief Minister Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu likened his fight with Centre on demanding implementation of provisions of AP Reorganisation Act and assurances given by then Prime Minister in Rajyasabha as 'War of righteousness' (Dharma Yudham) and said that the State government had submitted all the Utilisation Certificates of the funds released by the Centre. Wearing a black badge, he made a statement in the State Assembly on the All Party and All Associations meeting held on Tuesday. All the MLAs and ministers attended the Assembly wearing black badges. Government employees too attended work in the Secretariat wearing black badges. The CM called for such a black badge protest till April 6.
Mr. Naidu said Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has to answer to the people of Andhra Pradesh over the denial of Special Category Status to AP. He questioned the PM's partisan attitude towards AP. He said that the BJP resorted to false campaign while denying Special Category Status to the State.
The Chief Minister said that the Central Government failed to fulfil assurances given during the State's bifurcation. As Chief Minister of a State, he was demanding that the Central Government fulfil the bifurcation assurances.
The Chief Minister said that the then Prime Minister has assured in the House that a deficit revenue of Rs 16,000 crore would be released in the budget. Even after four years, the Central Government had failed to release the deficit revenue. He said there was no truth in the Central Government's campaign that the state government had failed to submit Utilisation Certificates. Mr Naidu said that the State Government had sent all the Utilisation Certificates. Referring to Polavaram project, the Central Government had released Rs 5,365 crore so far, he said. The Chief Minister said Rs 1,500 crore was released for Amaravati development. He added that Rs 350 crore released earlier was taken back.
The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister should answer to the people of AP over his failure to fulfil the bifurcation assurances. Mr. Naidu also showed the videos of assurances given by the Prime Minister in various meetings. The Chief Minister assured the people that the state government was determined to complete the Polavaram project and develop Amaravati capital. He said if necessary the state government would float bonds to take up the development work. He appealed to the people to strengthen his hands to fight against the Central Government for the fulfilment of bifurcation assurances. He said students should also come forward to protect the interests of the State.
He questioned the absence of the BJP, Jana Sena and YSRC at the All Party meeting that was held on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of provisions of AP Reorganisation Act and denial of Special Category Status.
