Resolution on implementation of AP Reorganisation Act adopted

Andhra Pradesh Assembly today adopted a resolution requesting the Centre to expeditiously implement all provisions contained in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014, including grant of Special Category Status to the state.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution under Rule 77 in the Assembly today listing 17 main issues that the state wanted the Centre to address immediately.

The TDP apparently decided to move the resolution as the Congress raised the issues of grant of special category status to AP and implementation of other provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act.

“While thanking the efforts of the Union Government in resolving certain issues pertaining to the state reorganisation, the House unanimously resolves to request the Government of India to implement expeditiously all the provisions contained in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 and assurances made in Parliament and to continue to handhold the state till it achieves level-playing field on par with neighbouring states,” the resolution said.

The AP government also sought implementation of Section 8 that pertains to law and order maintenance issues in the joint capital Hyderabad under the direct supervision of the Governor, who is also common for the two states.

Some of the main issues that the AP government wanted the Centre to address were release of balance grant to bridge the resource gap; completion of Polavaram irrigation project, which has been declared a national project, by 2018; fiscal measures like tax incentives to promote industrialisation and economic growth and provision of special financial support for the new capital.

Construction of Railway Zone at Visakhapatnam; increase number of seats in the Legislative Assembly from 175 to 225; amend Presidential Order pertaining to local status with regard to education and employment; establishment of steel plant at Kadapa, port at Dugarajapatna and amend the AP Reorganisation Act to correct anomalies pertaining to taxation issues, were some of the other issues underlined by the Assembly.