Centre should protect Seemandhras’ interests

AP CM convenes meeting of all MPs on eve of budget session

AP State wish list

• Implementation of special category status to AP
• Speedy allocation of officers of All India Services
• Release of `15,690 crore to meet revenue deficit
• Auctioning of `1,500 crore worth red sanders
• Release of `5,000 crore as initial aid for new capital
• Sanction of `9,700 crore for an ORR around Vijayawada

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to ask the NDA government to invoke special powers of the Governor to protect the liberty, property of Seemandhra people who are staying in Hyderabad.

This decision was taken at a meeting of all-party MPs barring the YSRCP convened by the Andhra Pradesh government at Lake View guest house here on Sunday. This decision assumes importance in the wake of the recent demolition drive against the alleged illegal structures on Gurukul Trust lands. The Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked the MPs to seek clarity from the centre on the special powers that have been given to the Governor in the AP Reorganisation Act with regard to protecting the lives and property of Seemandhra people in Hyderabad.

Briefing the media after the meeting, the finance minister Y Ramakrishnudu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and the special representative to the government of Andhra Pradesh in New Delhi K Ramamohana Rao said they had also drawn a wish list containing 34 demands so that the MPs could negotiate with the Centre and get liberal central assistance so that the cash-starved state can be bailed out.

Sources said during the meeting, several MPs felt that the Telangana government was taking steps to take back the government lands that were allotted to Andhra industrialists and employees in the undivided state and was exhibiting vindictive attitude. They also expressed their displeasure over the way the T government was undertaking demolition drive against the 'illegal buildings', occupied by people belonging to Andhra.

The wish list of the government includes, speedy division of allocation of IAS and IPS officers to both states, to seek permission for auctioning of Rs 1500 crore worth of red sanders, release of Rs 5,000 crore as an initial amount for the construction of new capital, sanction of Rs 9,700 crore in a phased manner for taking up construction of outer ring road covering 193 kms around Vijayawada, Metro rail project linking Vijayawada-Guntur and Tenali, development of three cities as mega cities and another 11 as smart cities.

The meeting also decided to request Delhi to give a new railway zone, with headquarters at Vijayawada and seek new railway lines Guntur-Guntakal-Gooty, Nandyal-Erraguntla, Kothapally-Narsapur.Nadikudi-Srikalahasthi and Kadapa-Bangarupeta in Karnataka.

The other demands include special category status to AP so that tax incentives to attract industries can be given. Naidu told MPs to see that the centre gives special financial package to Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra and that it releases Rs 15,690 crore to meet the revenue deficit. He also asked to the strive to get Rs 10,090 crore from the Centre as per 13th Finance Commission recommendations.