Special status possible: Jagan Mohan Reddy

Guntur: YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was fearing rigorous punishment like going to jail in the note-to-vote case. Hence, he did not exert pressure on Telugu Desam ally BJP for Spec-ial Category Status (SCS) to AP, he said.

Speaking to the media at the Deeksha camp, he alleged that Mr Naidu robbed public money in the Pattiseema project by giving extra bonus to the contractor. He said that under the agreement, the Pattiseema contractor has to complete the project in one year. Then what is the need for paying the extra bonus, he asked. He further alleged that a TD senior MP is the contractor of Polavaram project and misusing the funds of the project which is creating suspicion about the completion of the project.

Mr Jagan explained about the benefits of special status and alleged that the TD and the BJP were showing silly causes about reluctance of 14th Fina-nce Commission to give special status to AP. He said that National Development Council, Planning Commission and Neeti Ayog will work under Prime Minister, so Mr Narendra Modi can easily announce special status to AP. But, the TD and the BJP were deceiving AP with false claims. He mentioned that Himachal Pradesh got Rs 30,000 crore funds, started new industries and employment increased due to special status.

Mentioning the benefits, Mr Jagan said that 100 per cent tax, excise duty and transport tax would be exempted and further power would be supplied with 50 per cent subsidy for 20 years. He claimed that industries will come to AP in large number.