Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured more financial help than what it would have got under special status, instead of declaring special status to Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu met Modi, along with Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, NITI AYOG vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya and Central and state officials yesterday in Delhi and discussed about the various issues happening in AP state. He majorly stressed on special status issue.
 
But upon discussions, PM said, “keeping in mind the several problems, central government is going to face after declaring special status, government will assure more financial help, than what the state would get, under special status scheme.”

Special status is not sanjeevani - Naidu   

Naidu is found satisfied with Modi’s offer and speaking to the media, he said, “Special status scheme is not a sanjeevani, there is no use of declaring it, if the schemes could not be implemented. Through the special status scheme, there would only be two advantages to the state. One is, the state would get 90 per cent funds as grants in Externally Assisted Projects (EAPS) and the other is 90 per cent funds as grants in Centrally-Sponsored Schemes (CSS). But with the new proposal of Modi, AP will get more benefits than these.”

Reacting on the issue, central minister Venkaiah Naidu said not to politicize AP special status issue, as it would nowhere benefit to the state or the common public. Venkaiah Naidu accepted that an injustice has been done to AP after the bifurcation of the states and assured to sort out all those issues soon.

Strong reason for Jagan to protest against Naidu

However, as of now Naidu seems satisfied with the centre’s proposal, but there are all chances for him to face opposes from the rival parties regarding special status issue. Already YSRCP president Jagan announced strike on the same issue and knowing Naidu’s nod to centre’s proposal will literally boost Jagan’s strike more.

By Phanindra