Chandrababu Naidu blames Centre for unfinished bifurcation-related issues

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday expressed displeasure over Centre not completing the division of government institutions listed under Schedule 9 and 10 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, even two years after the bifurcation of the state.

"This has been creating trouble between the two neighbouring states," Chandrababu said, adding it was the Centre's responsibility to resolve the issue expeditiously.

The Chief Minister addressed a teleconference with 5,600 officials, people's representatives, including TDP MLAs and others from his residence here and discussed the bifurcation-related issues, a release from his office said.

Chandrababu also vent his ire at the Centre for releasing "only Rs 2,300 crore" for bridging AP's revenue deficit caused by the bifurcation.

"Our revenue deficit in the first year (after bifurcation) is Rs 16,000 crore but the Centre released only Rs 2300 crore for bridging the gap," Naidu said.

"The 14th Finance Commission clearly stated that we will still be reeling under a huge fiscal deficit even in 2019-20, than the northeastern states," he pointed out.

With great difficulty, Andhra Pradesh could increase its income from 47 per cent to 50.33 per cent in the last two years, he said.

But the state recorded an economic growth rate of 10.99 per cent that was three per cent more than the national average.

In terms of per capita income, however, Andhra Pradesh lagged behind all other southern states, the Chief Minister said.

"Hence, the Centre should extend all support to us till we grow equally with other states. We should not rest till we achieve that," he told the officials and people's representatives.

"We are at a turn in history. If we are careless, we will go back but if we go ahead with a determination, we can achieve unimaginable results," Chandrababu said.