Pawan Kalyan should discuss SCS with Modi, Amit: Karem

Eluru: Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes Commission Chairman Karem Shivaji suggested Janasena president Pawan Kalyan to discuss Special Category Status (SCS) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.

Addressing a media conference here on Wednesday at Irrigation Guesthouse, the Commission Chairman welcomed Pawan Kalyan’s statement on SCS to the State. He said that Pawan Kalyan is very close to the Prime Minister and the BJP president and said that the Janasena president should speak to them directly on granting Special Status to the State.

Shivaji said, “We have to accept the Special Package announced by the Centre. However, on the other hand, we have to fight for granting Special Category Status to the State.” He added that after bifurcation, the State was in financial deficit and said that they should accept the Special Package for the funding from the Centre, he stated.

The Commission Chairman suggested the MPs of Andhra Pradesh to pressurise the Centre for Special Status, subsidies to industries, railway zone, Chennai-Visakhapatnam industrial corridor and Petroleum University. “We fought on one agenda during United Andhra Pradesh. At that time we demanded the Centre not to bifurcate the State,” he pointed and added “If we fight for Special Category Status, we will have a status now itself.”

Referring to the concern of State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu at a meeting in East Godavari on the State's financial position, Karem Shivaji opined that the State should avail the Special Package at this juncture. He also suggested the State MPs to strive hard to get legality to the Special Package and release the funds in stipulated time.