-Special assistance measure for Andhra Pradesh in lieu of special category status is operational, Rs.7798 crore loans disbursed for 17 Externally Aided Projects (EAPs)
-False propaganda of YCP and TDP on special status package is exposed, says MP Sri GVL Narasimha Rao
Special assistance measure popularly known as special package given to Andhra Pradesh in lieu of special category status by the Narendra Modi government is under implementation. And, under this special assistance measure, a loan of Rs.7798 crore loans disbursed for 17 Externally Aided Projects in Andhra Pradesh.
Under the special measure granted by Narendra Modi government, both the loan principal amount and interest on the 17 Externally Aided Projects is the responsibility of the Central government. In other words, these 17 projects are totally funded by the Central Government.
The Minister of State for Finance stated in the reply that the Special Assistance Measure including special dispensation in funding of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) was announced by the Union government on 15th March, 2015 after taking a consolidated view in the light of various assurances given in the Parliament, recommendations of the Finance Commission and developmental needs of the successor state of Andhra Pradesh.
Among the list of these projects included in the Special measure are, Visakhapatnam-Chennai Corridor project (Rs.1859 crore), Andhra Pradesh Health Systems Strengthening Project (935 crore), Andhra Pradesh Power for All Project (897 crore), Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads Project (825 Crore) etc. Detailed list of projects and disbursements made under the Special assistance measure are furnished in the enclosed parliament reply.
These important facts were revealed by Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a Question by MP Shri G.V.L. Narasimha Rao in Rajya Sabha today. Asked whether the special assistance measure was accepted by the then State Government, Minister revealed that the then Chief Minister acknowledged and thanked the then Union Finance Minister for the special assistance measure vide letter dated May 2, 2017.
The special measure also involved decisions regarding the execution of Polavaram as a national project with 100% funding of the remaining cost of the irrigation component of the project as on 01.04.2014 with borrowing from NABARD or through Government of India borrowing.
Speaking on the subject, MP GVL stated that the present YCP and previous TDP governments have misled people of Andhra Pradesh that the special package announced by the Narendra Modi government is not under implementation. These lies have been exposed by the reply given in Parliament, MP GVL added.
