AP will get a lot more than what people are expecting: Jaitley (Update)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said Andhra Pradesh will get a lot more than what people are expecting, as the government is committed to full implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.

Addressingmedia here, Jaitley said, "Andra Pradesh will get a lot more than what people are expecting. The Prime Minister made it clear in the meeting that all commitments made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act are fully binding. Each one of the commitments which is in the shape of a law on the basis of which division of state took place will be implemented."

The Finance Minister also said that the immediate financial problems of the state have been solved after the assistance given to 7 backward districts.

"After the new government has taken over last year within the financial constraints, whatever assistance could be given to the state of Andhra Pradesh we have tried to give towards capital and towards seven backward districts of the state. That had helped the state to overcome the immediate problems.

"Most of the central institutions were in Telangana, so many institutions for Andhra Pradesh have been announced, since it required the approval of the Prime Minister. Today's meeting lasted for one and half hours. Each and every issue related to the state was submitted by the CM," said Jaitley.

Talking about granting Special status to Andhra Pradesh, Jaitley said the Government is firm about solving the economic problems of the state, and it may be called as special status or special assistance.

"We are interested in solving the economic problems of the state whether you call it special status or special assistance, it has to be translated into money,"said the finance minister.

"The state is firm that they want the announcement of the former Prime Minister to be implemented. There has to be a reconciliation between that and the 14th Finance Commission. In what manner the state has to be compensated, in the form of capital for infrastructure, industrialization all will be recommended," Jaitley said.