Will Fulfill Promises To Andhra Pradesh: Centre

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today promised the Andhra Pradesh government that the Centre would fulfill all its commitments as per the AP Reorganization Bill without fail.

Speaking to media after the NDA-led government announced a special package to Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said, "The announcement of the special package is a boon to AP. With this, the Central government will be able to give all possible support to guide Andhra Pradesh through the aftermath of the bifurcation."

He said that the Centre would meet the revenue deficit of the State for five years, and monetary, physical and social infrastructure support to the backward districts of the State. In addition, it would also give financial support for the creation of essential facilities in the new capital of the State. The Centre had already legislated for enhanced investment allowance and accelerated depreciation, and these would come into effect once Andhra Pradesh identified the eligible backward areas, he said.

"With respect to educational infrastructure, the Petroleum University, IIT, NIT, IIM, IISER and IIIT have already been established by the Centre and are in the process of being completed. The site for the Central University has already been selected, in the Anantapur district. Also, an AIIMS has been approved at Guntur and the land for the same is being acquired. A Tribal University will be established in AP, for the land has been approved. A National Institute Of Disaster Management is being established in the State for which the identification and acquisition of the land will be completed soon," he added.

"International flights are already operating at Visakhapatnam. More land has been identified at Bhogapuram for another international airport. And an MoU has been signed by the AAI with the State government to develop the existing terminal in Vijayawada. Additionally, the State is to acquire 698 acres of land required for the expansion of the terminal as per the standard terms, for development by the Airports Authority Of India (AAI)," Naidu said.

The announcement of the special package has received mostly negative reactions from the various political parties in Andhra Pradesh.