CM Reviews Memo To Finance Commission

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, on Monday, reviewed with all the departments at the Secretariat the status of the state government's memorandum to be presented to the 14th Finance Commission.

The Finance Commission, led by its chairman Dr. Y V Reddy, is scheduled to visit the state between the 12th and the 13th of September.

The CM directed that all efforts be made to make a case for th emaximum devolution of funds to the state by highlighting important programs in the sectors of social welfare, rural development, agriculture and irrigation.

Finance Minister Anam Ram Narayana Reddy, Chief Secretary Dr. P K Mohanty, Special Chief Secretaries V Bhaskar (Finance) and S P Tucker (Planning), Principal Secretaries L V Subrahmanyam, V Nagi Reddy, P V Ramesh and Raymond Peter, Commissioners of Welfare Somesh Kumar and Udayalakshmi, Civil Supplies Commissioner Sunil Sharma, Secretary (Political) Shivashankar, and all the Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of the Chief Ministers' Office attended the meeting.

The CM noted that though Andhra Pradesh's per capita income is higher than the national per capita income, in a number of districts, health and education indicators are below the national average.

He directed that a strong case be made to the Finance Commission on additional assistance for all these backward districts, to ensure that they reach the national average.

The Chief Minister also said that providing assistance to calamity relief should be emphasized, and more grants sought. He said that it is important that additional grants be sought in the memorandum so that their finances can be strengthened. (INN)