Naidu seeks resource mobilisation report to pursue funds issue with Centre

Noting that the new government of Andhra Pradesh would start with a heavy deficit budget, Chief Minister-to-be N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asked top bureaucrats of the state to study the various avenues for resource mobilisation and prepare a comprehensive plan.

He also asked the officials to study the various benefits that would accrue to the new state because of the special status to be conferred by the Government of India.

For the second consecutive day on Friday, Chandrababu held a detailed meeting with Chief Secretary Prasanna Kumar Mohanty and principal secretaries of various department, including finance, at his residence and basically reviewed the financial aspects.

Chandrababu, who is expected to take charge as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in the first week of June, asked the bureaucrats to submit a comprehensive report on resource mobilisation so that he could pursue the issue with the Centre.

"I will take up the funds issue with Narendra Modi after he takes over as Prime Minister and try to secure the maximum for the state since we have to develop everything from the scratch," Chandrababu reportedly told the top bureaucrats.

The TDP chief also referred to the numerous promises he made to people on the eve of elections and said everything would be implemented. Prime among the promises was the waiver of all farm loans which could amount to a staggering Rs 75,000 crore.

Also, waiver of loans to women self-help groups could cost over Rs 20,000 crore. Chandrababu said he would sign the first file on crop loan waiver immediately after taking over as the Chief Minister.

Since all the required funds will not be readily available, Chandrababu is said to be exploring various options to go about the exercise, sources close to him said.

The CM-to-be also discussed with officials issues like funds required for building a new capital city for Andhra Pradesh and also the new national-level educational institutions like IIT, IIM and AIIMS in the residual state that were promised by the Centre.

"Based on your inputs, I will pursue the issue with the Centre," Chandrababu told the bureaucrats.