Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought enhanced financial assistance for the debt-ridden southern state. This was his first meeting with the PM since the announcement of the Union Budget 2024.
Naidu had arrived in Delhi on Friday to meet various Union ministers to discuss the issues in Andhra Pradesh, including the Polavaram irrigation project.
Notably, the Centre in its Union Budget 2024 had announced Rs 15,000 crore for the development of a new capital in the southern state. This had sparked a major row as opposition leaders including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slammed the "directionless" budget of the Modi government, which she said favoured his allies and was meant to make them happy.
During the meeting, Naidu thanked PM Modi for the key announcements made for Andhra Pradesh, including Rs 15,000 crore funding for the new capital's development, news agency PTI reported.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief discussed the financial condition of Andhra at length and requested more support from the Centre to overcome the fiscal challenges its facing apart from boosting economic activity and increasing the state's GDP.
As per official data, Andhra Pradesh's public debt has increased from 31.02 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2019-20 to 33.32 per cent in 2023-24. This shows the state's worsening fiscal health that has gone down significantly over the last five years.
Naidu Meets Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
After meeting PM Modi, the Andhra Pradesh CM also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday to discuss issues related to his state.
He informed Sitharaman about the state's deteriorating financial health, seeking enhanced support under various schemes to rebuild the state.
Naidu Meets Union Jak Shakti Minister CR Patil
On Friday, Naidu had also met Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil to figure out ways of expediting the completion of the Polavaram irrigation project, which involves repairing as well as constructing a new diaphragm wall.
The construction of the diaphragm wall is what has posed setbacks in the completion of the earth-cum-rock-fill dam on the Godavari river.
After the hour-long meeting, state Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said: "There was a detailed discussion on whether to repair the damaged diaphragm wall or construct a new one, and whether to engage the old agency or a new one to complete the project in a time-bound manner."
He also claimed that there was project progressed slowly during YSRCP's tenure and that the TDP is committed to completing the project at the earliest.
Naidu is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the second day of his visit to the national capital.
The TDP, with its 16 Lok Sabha MPs, is a key ally of PM Modi-led NDA government.