GST Bill Passed in Andhra Pradesh Assembly

Andhra Pradesh erupted in anger on Thursday after the Centre rejected the state’s demand for special category status to compensate for loss of revenue following the creation of Telangana a year ago.

Chalasani Srinivas of the Forum for Achieving Special Status said the special status and package were the state’s right and not a charity by the Centre. It includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance. Political parties and student organisations on Thursday hit the roads across the state holding “rasta rokos”, rallies and burning the effigies of the Centre to protest against the denial of the special category status to AP.

Jaitley said that the Union Cabinet will soon ratify the special assistance measures. In its efforts to develop Digital Andhra Pradesh, the state government terms this move as an “incentive for innovation”.

Centre promised to announce huge amount for the Polavaram project completion only if works are done at a faster pace. “As per the provisions of Reorganisation Act, AP would get special package”. “This gap will be bridged for AP through this package”, Jaitley said.

At several places, students forced educational institutions to close down. YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy sought Naidu’s resignation, saying he had failed the state on this count. “What happened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of fulfilling all promises made to Andhra?”

Though, railway minister Suresh Prabhu represents the state in Rajya Sabha, the commercial committee refused to give approval for Vizag citing viability issues. Protest rallies and demonstrations were held across the state on Thursday.

The union government has speed up efforts to resolve the long pending demand to accord special status to Andhra Pradesh in New Delhi today. “Our fight for the special status will continue”.