Govt in touch with Centre over assurances given to AP: Naidu

Under attack from Opposition on special category status and other assurances given to the State, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said his Government is pursuing with the Centre, including NITI Ayog, the matter of realising the promises.
"Yesterday too, he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) said 'we will implement all those (assurances) mentioned in (Andhra Pradesh) Re-organisation Act in letter and spirit and develop the State'.
"NITI Ayog has been asked to prepare a roadmap (on the provisions of the Act). NITI Ayog said they will give their report soon. I spoke to them (NITI Ayog) and they said we will give (report) soon. We are following up," he told reporters here.

Recalling that he requested the Prime Minister to "hand-hold" the State Government as it is faced with fiscal deficit after bifurcation last year, Naidu said the expression meant giving special category status, development package, financial support and help through policy measures.
Noting that neighbouring States, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and also Telangana, have massive revenue-generating cities as capitals, he said the Centre need to help AP till it achieved a level-playing field.
Andhra Pradesh would contribute to the Centre's revenues substantially once it is able to stands on its own feet, said Naidu, whose party TDP is in alliance with BJP in the State and also at the national level.

Naidu said he thanked the PM for the help extended by the Centre to AP so far and taking measures beyond the Act on different fronts.
Without naming Opposition Congress or YSR Congress, he said the criticism is made by those who divided (Congress) AP and those who boycotted an auspicious event like foundation stone laying ceremony for capital city.
Modi laid the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh's capital city Amaravati at a village on the banks of River Krishna in Guntur district yesterday.