NDA's key ally, Naidu, seeks special central assistance to Andhra

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sought financial help from the Centre through special assistance to Andhra Pradesh. Naidu, who was in Delhi on Wednesday to attend the NDA partner coordination meeting, met the prime minister, Narendra Modi, and union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Amit Shah, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and HD Kumaraswamy separately.

Naidu's meetings with Modi and other union ministers come at a time when there are reports that preparations for the next union budget have begun in Delhi. TDP, a key ally in the NDA, had successfully secured funds in the last budget in the form of a soft loan from multilateral development agencies for Amaravati and also central assistance for the Polavaram multipurpose project.

Both Amaravati and Polavaram are the priority projects of the Naidu government. Briefing the Prime Minister on the damage caused to the state by the previous government, particularly derailing the financial system, Naidu, according to sources in the government, told Modi that the previous ruling dispensation has utilised five years revenue deficit grant in just three years and sought financial help through special assistance.

He also brought to the notice of Modi the diversion of funds by the previous government meant for 94 centrally sponsored schemes, following which the state suffered heavily. He also informed Modi that of these 94 schemes, 74 have been relaunched.

Assistance sought for Arcelor Mittal steel plant

Informing the Prime Minister about the establishment of the ArcelorMittal Steel Plant unit in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu sought the central assistance for the supply of raw material for the plant besides helping to get the necessary permissions at the earliest possible. He sought the Central cooperation for the setting up of the steel plant in the state, clearing all the technical snags.

Naidu also thanked the Prime Minister, Modi, for extending financial assistance to complete Polavaram and the capital city of Amaravati.

He explained in detail the programs taken up by his government, financial issues, and other matters. Informing the Prime Minister that the works of Polavaram and Amaravathi have been resumed and thanking Modi profusely for extending the help to complete these projects.

Later, the Chief Minister had a meeting with the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, and the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, wherein he explained in detail to them the poor financial condition of the state and the efforts that he is making to bring the state back on track. He also sought the release of funds from the Centre under different heads and sought special central assistance, keeping in view the poor financial condition of the state.