The Central government has announced Rs 1,000 crore as a part of the special package  for Andhra Pradesh for the current fiscal.

On the other day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu demanded that, the Centre should offer the special package under the AP reorganization act, as promised previously. It was then, the announcement of special package was made from the finance ministry.   

In the last fiscal, the Centre already released Rs. 4403 crores as the financial assistance and the latest Rs. 1000 crores is in addition to the amount, which was announced ahead of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the AP, for laying the foundation stone,  for the greenfield capital city at Amaravati.

Rs. 1000 crore AP special package allotments  

The announced Rs. 1000 crore special package is to be allotted for seven backward districts in AP state, in which four belongs to the southern part and three to the north coastal region. Each district would get Rs. 50 crore as the financial assistance to develop it.

Along with the seven districts, even two massive projects, Amaravathi capital construction and Polavaram irrigation project are also going to be benefited through the funds. Amaravathi capital project will get Rs.350 crores and the remaining Rs.300 crores will be allotted to the Polavaram irrigation project for its quick completion.  

Expecting balance funds as special package for AP soon -  Naidu

After announcing the special package, Naidu spoke to the media and said, “As promised under the state reorganization Act, we hope the Centre would release the balance funds and thus extend the continuous support for the AP, till it comes to a stage, where it can compete with the neighboring states.”

Even the Centre reacted positively regarding, providing the financial assistance in the form of special package, assuring to provide the support, for the backward districts of Andhra Pradesh and also for the massive project, AP capital construction, which also includes Raj Bhawan, high court, government secretariat, Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, and such other essential infrastructure."    

After the bifurcation of the Telugu states, it is well known fact that, AP got weaker in all the sections as most of the developments existed in Telangana itself. Due to this, the Centre is taking special concentration and providing the special package under the AP reorganization act. However, there are lot more funds to be released, for bringing AP into a proper shape. Hope the Centre continues its financial support till that day.   
 
On the other hand, even Telangana government is demanding the special package for the various developmental programmes, the Centre seems considering the issue, with slight modifications.  

By Phani Ch