What Support Does Andhra Pradesh CM Seek from Amit Shah?

Amaravati, July 15 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday, requesting additional assistance from the Centre for his state, which continues to grapple with a significant lack of financial resources.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister brought up several crucial projects and the need for funding from the Centre.

While expressing gratitude toward the Centre for their prior support during last year's crisis, Naidu emphasized that with the Central Government's backing, he is striving to restore the battered economy.

Highlighting the ongoing financial difficulties faced by the state, the Chief Minister articulated the urgent need for further financial aid from the Centre.

Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) plays a vital role in the NDA government, briefed the Home Minister about the financial support required for various initiatives and development efforts in the state.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Naidu informed Amit Shah that the 16th Finance Commission has been approached to consider the financial losses incurred by Andhra Pradesh due to its bifurcation while distributing funds.

He also addressed the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project, which is essential for providing water to drought-affected regions in the state. The project aims to redirect 200 TMC of floodwater from Polavaram to the Banakacherla regulator in Kurnool district.

Naidu conveyed to Amit Shah that the completion of this interlinking project could greatly benefit the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. He elaborated that even after fulfilling the needs of the upper and lower riparian states, excess water from the Godavari River flows consistently for 90 to 120 days. He asserted that, being the last state along the river's path, Andhra Pradesh has a legitimate claim to fully utilize this surplus water.

The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Central Government for appointing senior TDP leader and former Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju as the Governor of Goa.

Earlier, NITI Aayog Member V.K. Saraswat met with the Chief Minister at his residence in Delhi. They discussed plans for establishing aerospace and defense industries in Andhra Pradesh.

The CM informed Saraswat about the state's intent to set up defense industries in the Rayalaseema region, examining its potential for such industries and the measures needed to attract investments in this field.

Later, Delhi Metro Rail Managing Director Dr. Vikas Kumar also met with the Chief Minister, discussing collaboration for the construction of Metro projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.