Centre gave Rs 3,500 crore for Amaravati, says Piyush Goyal

Visakhapatnam: Though the Union government supported several externally-aided projects in Andhra Pradesh, the BJP’s perception is that the Telugu Desam supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu has been criticising the Centre after breaking the alliance with the BJP.

Continuing the blame game, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly called him as ‘U-turn babu’.

Later, minister for railways and coal Piyush Goyal challenged him to come for a debate on the assistance given by the Centre to the state.

At a press conference held here on Tuesday, he alleged that the CM had been showing double standards by spreading lies against the Centre.

“Mr Naidu must participate in a debate at a date and time of his own choice. Telugu people all-over the world should know the facts,” he said.

According to the 14th Finance Commission, the revenue deficit for five years was calculated at Rs 22,113 crore for AP.

The state has been receiving this along with the benefit of 90 per cent share on centrally-sponsored schemes as Special Assistance Measure.

If AP was awarded Special Category Status (SCS), the revenue deficit grant would have been reduced from Rs 22,113 crore to Rs 5,528 crore. After getting the double benefit, the TD chief is demanding the SCS only for political reasons to mislead the public, he said.

So far, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3,500 crore as support for creation of the new capital.