CM Naidu asks Centre to let AP borrow additional funds

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu continued meeting union ministers and officials on Friday, asking the central government to handhold AP in the short term till its finances improve.

He sought additional borrowings to service the accrued debt obligations following the bifurcation. He wanted a 90 per cent grant component in central government schemes, without limiting the same to micro-irrigation, drinking water and horticulture programmes being implemented in Rayalaseema, Prakasam and north coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh.

The AP Chief Minister said as per provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, industrial incentives must be considered for backward regions of the state. He asked centre to quickly approve funds for completion of the Polavaram National Irrigation Project and assistance in developing Amaravati as the capital city.

Naidu asked the centre to provide incentives for industrial development of Andhra Pradesh, apart from creating necessary infrastructure at the four industrial nodes in the state.

On the day, the Chief Minister met union defence minister Rajnath Singh and union health Minister J.P. Nadda. He held discussions on creating a defence industry-related ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh. He wanted the Government of India to support AP in upgrading its health infrastructure.

Naidu met NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subramaniyam, seeking the aayog’s close collaboration in formulating and implementing a comprehensive development plan for Andhra Pradesh, including the coastal belt, with specific focus on Visakhapatnam.

The Chief Minister wanted Hindupur to be developed as a mega industrial hub between the cities of Chennai and Bengaluru. He requested the centre to examine the potential of developing the blue economy in the state.

Naidu also met the senior leadership of CII and FICCI, apart from potential investors, asking them to explore opportunities for growth and development in Andhra Pradesh.

Official sources said all meetings turned out to be productive and would pave the way for a bright future of the state.