Naidu meets with FM Sitharaman and requests funding for the indebted AP
Delhi, New: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday ahead of the release of the Union Budget, putting pressure on her to provide the indebted state with more financial help. Sources claim that Naidu brought up several ongoing Andhra Pradesh projects that urgently need government support at the meeting in North Block. "The CM presented a detailed memorandum outlining the state's financial requirements and the rationale behind the demand for increased allocation," according to the sources. During the meeting, TDP ministers from the Center were present.
Naidu also met with J P Nadda, the health minister, and Rajnath Singh, the defense minister. Data from the state government shows that Andhra Pradesh's public debt climbed from 31.02 percent of GDP in 2019–20 to 33.32 percent in the 2023–24 fiscal year, showing a decline in the state's financial stability during the previous five years. Among Naidu's main requests were money for the irrigation project in Polavaram, special help for underdeveloped areas, and backing for the growth of Amaravati, the future capital. The chief minister also asked for the unresolved problems resulting from the split of the former Andhra Pradesh.
Given that the conference is taking place just a few weeks before the Union Budget 2024–25 is presented, it is significant. According to the sources, Sitharaman listened to Naidu's worries patiently and promised to investigate Andhra Pradesh's requests while keeping in mind the larger financial limitations. During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers on Thursday, Naidu expressed his strong concerns about the state's financial difficulties and asked for more federal assistance to get through the budgetary difficulties. With 16 Lok Sabha members backing the Narendra Modi-led administration, the Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party is an important ally of the NDA.
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