Andhra CM seeks President's intervention for 'justice'

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday sought the intervention of President Ram Nath Kovind to ensure justice to the state through a resolution of the state's post-bifurcation issues.

A delegation led by Naidu met the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan and submitted a memorandum urging him to direct the central government to adhere to the constitutional provisions and implement all commitments made to residuary state of Andhra Pradesh following the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

The President was informed that the NDA government had not implemented any of the assurances given by then Prime Minister in Parliament on February 20, 2014. These included Special Category Status to the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.

The memorandum also brought to the notice of the President the non-fulfilment of provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The inconsistencies in the Reorganisation Act and the actions of the Indian government caused injustice to Andhra Pradesh, it said.

Though provisional estimates indicate that it would require about Rs 1.09 lakh crore to construct Greenfield capital city Amaravati, the Centre had so far released only Rs 1,500 crore.

The 17-page memorandum explained in detail the assurances and commitment made both in Parliament and in the Reorganisation Act and how the Centre failed to implement them.

These include creation of a railway zone, a steel factory, bridging revenue deficit, funds for backward districts, construction of the Polavaram project and a petrochemical corridor.

Naidu, who on Monday undertook a fast in the national capital on the same issues, led the delegation comprising leaders of various groups fighting for special category status and other demands.

Later, Naidu told the media that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lacked leadership qualities and he did not want the country to progress.

The TDP chief said since the President was only a constitutional head, the final decision had to be taken by the central government. He said the state would also approach the court for justice and finally will take the issue to the people's court.

--IANS

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