Naidu said the state needs Rs 47,000 crore for building Amaravati and for the irrigation projects including Polavaram
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has appealed to the 16th Finance Commission to extend special financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh to enable it to rebuild the state.
“Rebuilding the state is crucial not only for its future but also for the nation's progress. If you help us today, we will play a key role in India’s success tomorrow,” the CM said, urging the commission to understand the state’s unique challenges and support its Swarnandhra 2047 vision.
The CM gave a warm welcome to the 16th Finance Commission delegation at the state secretariat on Wednesday. Later, through a photo exhibition, he explained ongoing projects like Amaravati construction, the Polavaram project and the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project.
Naidu made a presentation to the Finance Commission on the largest sea-coast, Swarnandhra Vision-2047, P4 and the GSDP target set for 2028-29 as 29.29 lakh cr, besides the problems being faced by the state, including huge revenue loss, due to the faulty policies adopted by the previous government.
The CM said the state needs Rs 47,000 crore for building Amaravati and for the irrigation projects including Polavaram. He urged the commission to recommend sanction of funds for completing the projects.
Naidu said the state was encountering several issues in revenue generation as there was no capital city for it. Thus, a capital city project with global standards has been taken up with the partnership of the people. The state government is setting a target of 15 per cent growth rate.
The CM also explained to the delegation the impact of the state bifurcation on Andhra Pradesh, the economic challenges, the progress the state has achieved in economic growth after 2014, the developmental activities being undertaken and the welfare programmes being implemented.
He explained the “loss suffered by the state and the people” due to the policies adopted by the previous government since 2019.
“Due to the economic destruction caused in the past five years,” the CM sought additional financial assistance for AP. He urged the FC delegation to recommend making special allocations to the Centre.
Naidu also made a request to Panagaria to attend the launch of the Polavaram project.
Naidu said, “The previous government had mortgaged even the tehsildars' offices and the revenue from liquor sales to borrow money. Balancing welfare and development, we are engaged in good governance. If you can extend a helping hand, we will achieve tremendous results and we will play our role in achieving the goal of Vikasitha Bharath."
The FC delegation expressed its opinion on various subjects and appreciated the state government steps to introduce in WhatsApp-aided governance. “We shall explain to the Prime Minister about WhatsApp governance at our meeting with him next month,” they said.
