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Hyderabad Andhras key to AP development
NITI Aayog has a sure-fire solution for state’s problem of funds: Let 40 per cent of people in Hyderabad who are of Andhra origin, shift to AP. The taxes they are paying to Telangana state would then go to Andhra. As NITI Aayog vice-chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar made the suggestion in lighter vein to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Thursday but in fact it held the key since Telangana is rich
Amaravati: NITI Aayog has a sure-fire solution for state’s problem of funds: Let 40 per cent of people in Hyderabad who are of Andhra origin, shift to AP. The taxes they are paying to Telangana state would then go to Andhra. As NITI Aayog vice-chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar made the suggestion in lighter vein to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Thursday but in fact it held the key since Telangana is rich because of tax revenue mainly from Hyderabad.
“NITI Aayog will help you out but it is not a bad idea if Andhra origin people shift to AP,” he said, while assuring Chandrababu Naidu that his institution would help the state in every possible way. Addressing the 15th District Collectors’ Conference at Grievance Hall at CM’s Residence in Undavalli, Rajiv Kumar stated that after going through the growth statistics of AP, it seems the state was not in need of either hand-holding or special category status. He, however, said that the state specific strategies will be developed by the NITI Aayog.
On the state’s plea for financial assistance, the NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, in a lighter vein, said that the state would develop very soon without the support of central government. At the same time, he maintained that the NITI Aayog will go to help out the state whenever necessary.
Reacting on the proposal to increase budget allocation for addressing the problem of malnutrition of children in the state, Dr Rajiv Kumar suggested to the state government utilise finds released by the Centre judiciously. He suggested to the state government to prevent leakages for better utilisation of funds already given. At this juncture, he maintained the Centre expected greater efficiency and accountability in utilisation of funds.
Dr Rajiv Kumar stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated construction of about 15,000 km of CC roads in the state under MNREGA funds. Earlier, Chandrababu Naidu explained that the state had been starving for funds and needed NITI Aayog’s support and hand holding till the state was on par with other states. He said that bifurcation was done in an unfair manner, which forced the residuary state into a financial straitjacket.
He recommended scrapping of two tier Panchayat Raj system and maintained that they were not required. He said that there was a friction between Panchayats and ZPTCs. Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar stated that the Tribal areas should be developed on par with at least rural areas, to narrow the gap between Tribal areas and rest. Quality education and health infrastructure need to be developed in the Tribal areas, he suggested. Lack of banking infrastructure in rural area has been forcing farmers to depend on private lenders, he observed.
Panchayat Raj Commissioner B Ramanjaneyulu requested for an increase in the material component to 50 per cent from 40 per cent in the MGNREGA and also suggested increasing the wages of workers under the programme, on par with neighbouring states.
