Final Test for BJP’s Commitment to AP

BJP may have missed the biggest chance of its life to grow and prosper in Andhra Pradesh by going away from the promise of Special Status. BJP led Central government is arguing that it was forced to not to give Special status to the truncated state due to technical issues but is keen on making it with the Special Package. The Special Package announced earlier this month offers nothing new to the state except for the center bearing 90% of the Externally Aided Projects that will come to the state in the five years after the bifurcation.

[m9ad]

Very soon, this will be ratified by the Union government which gives it legal sancity. Andhra Pradesh is looking to make use of this opportunity and make most of it. The state government had made proposals worth 41173.30 Crore of Externally aided projects to the Union government. If these proposals are cleared by the Center, then the state will only have to bear 4117.3 Crore of it and center will take up the other 37056 Crore.

There are eleven Projects and the proposals were sent to the various ministries at the center. This is a good chance for the BJP to prove its commitment to the state. If it fails to do so, BJP will lose its credibility here while the state will also be in deep troubles. Needless to say, Chandrababu Naidu who opted to take this package will also face the music.

These projects intend to better health facilities in state, improving rural water supply system, eradication of drought, Roads, Vijayawada Metro Rail Project etc. Some of these projects are in the way that the state government should bear the expense while the funding agencies will reimburse it later. Center had promised that these loans will not be added to the FRBM limit of the state which is also beneficial.