Financial package to AP should be seen positively: Javadekar

Union minister Prakash Javadekar today said people should see the special financial package announced to Andhra Pradesh positively.
The Centre had on Wednesday announced special financial assistance to the state but stopped short of granting it a special category status, a move that drew criticism from certain quarters and parties including YSRC, Congress and Left front.
One should think only on positive direction over the issue of the special package to Andhra Pradesh, the Union Human Resource Development minister said at a function in IIT campus here.
He alleged that the Congress-led UPA regime during its decade-long rule did "nothing" for the progress of the backward districts of the state and the long-pending Polavaram irrigation project as well.

"With full commitment, the BJP has been taking all efforts for the growth of Andhra Pradesh and as part of it, we came forward to offer hundred per cent finance for the mega Polavaram project," he said.
Already Rs 2,500 crore has been paid for the development of the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. Rs 1,000 crore more would also be released soon, he said.

As many as 11 national-level educational institutions have been sanctioned for the state and the Centre would be spending Rs 10,000 crore, Javadekar said.
The Centre has been contemplating to set up three more universities, including Ocean Technological University and Tribal University in Andhra Pradesh, he said.

About Rs 22,000 crore will be granted for industrial corridor to the state in the next two or three years.
Earlier, the minister offered worship at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala.