AP yet to get favourable support from Centre: Governor

Hyderabad, March 7 (INN): The Andhra Pradesh Government is still waiting for the favourable support from the Central Government to overcome the financial crisis that it has been facing since bifurcation of the State, said Governor ESL Narasimhan in his customary address to the joint session of AP Legislative Assembly and Council here on Saturday.

“The decision to bifurcate the State without taking all the stakeholders on board and finalising the capital city has caused avoidable hardship. The post bifurcation issues, especially the huge financial deficits continue to affect the new State of Andhra Pradesh, which is home for 58.32% of the population of erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh State,” the Governor said.

Narasimhan said that despite inheriting various kind of deficits and the twin effect of Hudhud cyclone and drought, the State Government took all measures during the last nine months not only to overcome the difficulties, but to convert the crisis into opportunity and also lay solid foundation for “Sunrise Andhra Pradesh. He recalled that the Union Government had assured the State of Andhra Pradesh in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 and in the speech of the then Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha to support AP in bridging revenue deficit, industry incentives, special development package for the backward areas in seven districts, assistance to State Capital development, railway zone for the State and special category status. “During these few months, the State had anticipated a more favourable support from the Centre. A more favourable response is still awaited,” he said.

The Governor said that the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission have not provided any special preference to the State despite requests for handholding support. “Our expectations for the State in the Union Budget 2015-16 did not fructify,” he said.

“Andhra Pradesh has lost significant resource base after division and is at a disadvantage to compete with its revenue surplus neighbouring States. To compete with developed cities like Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad of neighbouring States, the Centre should give required assistance to stand on a level playing field vis-a-vis its neighbouring States,” he said.

The Governor also listed out the achievements in the last nine months and short-term and long-term goals of the Andhra Pradesh Government.