Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and other Central ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss state projects and the release of funds. Naidu was originally scheduled to depart for the national capital on Monday and engage with five Union Ministers to address various state-related issues, as per a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Naidu’s agenda includes meetings with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Of particular significance is Naidu’s meeting with Amit Shah, as the proposal to grant statutory status to Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s permanent capital, is yet to be presented in Parliament. During a previous meeting with Amit Shah, Naidu emphasized the importance of formal legislative recognition for Amaravati, citing its critical role in the state’s long-term development and stability.
The Chief Minister’s focus on policy certainty underscores his belief that granting statutory status to Amaravati would not only expedite development but also meet the aspirations of Andhra Pradesh’s residents, thereby bolstering investor confidence. Naidu, who also serves as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President, has expressed intentions to introduce a Bill in the Budget session of Parliament to secure legal sanctity for Amaravati as the state’s capital.
Naidu has instructed TDP MPs to actively pursue additional funds from the Centre to support the state’s development. He is expected to advocate for special packages or fund allocations for the advancement of North Andhra districts, the Rayalaseema region, the Purvodaya scheme, and the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar projects. Additionally, Naidu will seek the release of pending funds, including Rs 12,000 crore for the Polavaram project, and address concerns regarding the G-Ram-G scheme’s financial provisions.
During his interactions with Amit Shah, Naidu highlighted the potential adverse effects of altering the funding ratio under the VB-G-RAM-G scheme on Andhra Pradesh, which is already grappling with financial challenges. He stressed that the revised funding ratio could strain the state’s finances and hinder effective implementation. Seeking flexibility and support, the Chief Minister urged for alternative financial mechanisms to alleviate the state’s fiscal constraints.
