UPA’s faulty division put Andhra Pradesh at disadvantage says Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the residuary AP has been put at a great disadvantage by the “unilateral” and “faulty” bifurcation by the UPA government. Since the bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been sparring with each other over sharing of resources and for new investments.

Naidu released a white paper on the ‘Impact of State Reorganisation’ said that the Reorganisation Act itself was the principal source of unfair and unjust treatment to both the successor states and the residuary Andhra Pradesh is the worst sufferer.

The white paper said that some of the provisions would continue to have adverse impact on the residuary Andhra Pradesh in the short term as well as the medium term. Naidu had earlier issued white papers on irrigation and finance post bifurcation.

Chandrababu who was crucial in building ‘Brand Hyderabad’ of undivided AP said that it requires Rs 4 to 5 lakh crores to build another city like Hyderabad for the new Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu said that the UPA government had bifurcated Andhra Pradesh without no capital city for the residuary state resulting in different demands across the state seeking their own city. He assured that the expert committee appointed by the Centre is doing its duty and the announcement is expected by August end. He assured on Friday that the capital will be located in Vijayawada-Guntur region.

The paper said that AP state’s revenues are far lower than that of Telangana and the percapita income is also lower. Moreover AP has a much higher debt burden compared to Telangana. Hence Andhra Pradesh is positioned in a fiscally precarious position it said. Naidu alleged that Congress has created disputes wherever it is possible.