The YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh, which has inherited a completely ruined financial position, huge debts and mounting arrears, has asked for a liberal financial assistance from the Centre.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who held a meeting with NITI Aayog vice-chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar or over an hour, asked him to prevail upon the Centre to release grants due to the state liberally to implement various schemes.
He wanted that NITI Aayog would not dilute or reduce the Central grants due to the state.
Jagan pointed out that the new government had carried the legacy of the previous government which had proposed a vote-on-account budget with an outlay of Rs 2.27 lakh crore.
The present government had not changed the quantum of the budget, but had changed the priorities.
“Our priority areas are education, health care, and inclusive growth. As the state revenues, central devolution and fiscal deficit cannot be increased or changed, it is only the Central grant that we can expect to be more liberal,” he said.
NITI Aayog vice-chairman assured all possible help to the state. He appreciated Jagan’s governance model, aimed at inclusive growth balancing welfare and development.
He said he was impressed with the Navaratnas (nine promises) made by the new government.
Jagan explained to him how his government had brought in Amma Vodi, a novel scheme where the mother would be given Rs 15,000 per annum for sending her children to school.
He said this scheme could be sponsored by the HRD Ministry and could be replicated across the country.
The chief minister requested that the assurances given in the State Reorganisation Act, including Kadapa Steel Plant, Polavaram and other issues be expedited.
Aspiring districts, women and child health, malnutrition, Matsya Abhivrudhi Yojana were among the other things that were discussed during the meeting.