Centre included 503 projects in Andhra Pradesh in the National Infrastructure Pipeline, claims BJP
The Hindu
The BJP said the State’s expenditure crossed the limits since 2014-15
The BJP claimed that 503 projects in Andhra Pradesh have been included by the Central government in the National Infrastructure Pipeline with a total capital outlay of ₹8,16,583 crore for 2020-25 period. These projects are to be taken up by various Central departments or the State on EPC basis.
It was also mentioned in a booklet released by BJP national president J. P. Nadda at a meeting of the chiefs of Shakti Kendras in Vijayawada on June 6 that the Centre is ready to set up an integrated steel plant in Kadapa district in tune with its commitment to the development of Rayalaseema.
An expert committee constituted by the Steel Authority of India Limited found that the locations identified for setting up the steel plant were not suitable but a task-force formed in its wake found some favourable conditions. Accordingly, the Centre is prepared to establish the steel plant.
The Centre alleged that the State government has not come up with an alternative location for the construction of a seaport after the proposed Dugarajapatnam port was declared unviable. Several railway projects fizzled out due to the non-payment of the State’s share of the total estimated cost of ₹15,847 crore.
That special financial assistance has been sanctioned in lieu of Special Category Status (SCS), for which the 14th Finance Commission made no distinction between the States, but the State has so far not formed a special purpose vehicle to avail the package, was reiterated.
It was also stressed that SCS has nothing to do with the industrial incentives.
As far as the capital is concerned, the BJP said the Centre had given ₹2,500 crore but the YSR Congress government made a mess of it by coming up with the impractical idea of three capitals whereas N. Chandrababu Naidu left it unfinished.