Nodal officer appointed for implementing Andhra reorganisation act

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has appointed a nodal officer to implement the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

A.K. Singh, additional secretary (Home), will coordinate with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and concerned central ministries for speedy implementation of the provisions of the Act.

A team of officers led by A.K. Singh will visit Hyderabad on Friday to hold discussions with the chief secretaries of both the states to resolve pending issues.

The home minister appointed the nodal officer on the suggestion of Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who along with a delegation of BJP leaders from Andhra Pradesh called on him in New Delhi.

Rajnath Singh assured the delegation led by BJP's state unit president K. Hari Babu that he will do the needful to speed up implementation of the Act.

According to a statement from Naidu's office, he made out a strong case for assisting Andhra Pradesh as it was facing several problems having lost substantial revenue and resource base to Hyderabad and the new state of Telangana.

Naidu said early decisions and actions were required in respect of special category status for Andhra Pradesh, division of assets and liabilities between the two states, division of officers, proper re-allotment of Rajya Sabha members to both the states, execution of various projects as mentioned in the Act.

Rajnath Singh promised to discuss the issue of special category status with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.