Silence over fund allocation for new Andhra capital
The
silence of Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on funds for the new
capital of Andhra Pradesh and metro rail projects for Visakhapatnam and
Vijayawada-Guntur has surprised many in the state. People and leaders
alike had expected at least a token allocation of funds for the capital
city in the budget as the Sivaramakrishnan panel is expected to submit
its report soon and the confusion surrounding its location will be
cleared in a couple of months.
In fact, soon after taking charge as CM, N Chandrababu Naidu had appealed to the people to extend financial support for the new capital. The state government has even opened a separate bank account for receipt of donations from the general public and announced income tax relief for the donors. Naidu has hinted that the capital would come up between Vijayawada and Guntur, and donations have been pouring in.
Despite lack of mention in the budget, some like senior TDP leader Yarapathineni Srinivasa Rao are still hopeful. "The finance minister has assured that the Centre is committed to fulfilling all the promises made in the AP Reorganization Bill. The issue of funding for capital can be taken up once the location is finalised," he said defending the Centre.
However, analysts doubt the Centre's intention to generously sanction funds for the capital in the absence of budgetary allocation. "It is difficult for the state to get funds without allocation in the budget. The chief minister should take up the issue with the Centre without delay," said economist Prof LSN Prasad.
The Union budget also did not refer to metro rail projects for AP despite Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu's manifold promises to develop the residuary state. "Venkaiah Naidu failed to get major sops for the state," alleged former Vijayawada-central MLA, Malladi Vishnu, of the Congress. Source :- The Times of India
In fact, soon after taking charge as CM, N Chandrababu Naidu had appealed to the people to extend financial support for the new capital. The state government has even opened a separate bank account for receipt of donations from the general public and announced income tax relief for the donors. Naidu has hinted that the capital would come up between Vijayawada and Guntur, and donations have been pouring in.
Despite lack of mention in the budget, some like senior TDP leader Yarapathineni Srinivasa Rao are still hopeful. "The finance minister has assured that the Centre is committed to fulfilling all the promises made in the AP Reorganization Bill. The issue of funding for capital can be taken up once the location is finalised," he said defending the Centre.
However, analysts doubt the Centre's intention to generously sanction funds for the capital in the absence of budgetary allocation. "It is difficult for the state to get funds without allocation in the budget. The chief minister should take up the issue with the Centre without delay," said economist Prof LSN Prasad.
The Union budget also did not refer to metro rail projects for AP despite Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu's manifold promises to develop the residuary state. "Venkaiah Naidu failed to get major sops for the state," alleged former Vijayawada-central MLA, Malladi Vishnu, of the Congress. Source :- The Times of India
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