The state of Andhra Pradesh, after bifurcation, was granted Special Status by the Central government. However, later on, the Centre has repeatedly dismissed all and every plea from the previous and current Andhra Pradesh governments, towards sanctioning of the special status.
In his Delhi meeting, CM Jagan is said to have reiterated the Special Status with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reminding him of the promise that the Centre made during the bifurcation of the state. He said that granting special status to AP would make it Atmanirbhar (self-reliant), and would promote job opportunities in the state, which is currently based in agriculture majorly.
Jagan is also said to have requested Shah to provide financial assistance for 13 medical colleges and informed him about the outstanding Rs 3,299 crore subsidy for PDS rice, which is yet to be released by the Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies for the state. He is also said to have discussed the pending dues of Rs. 4,653 Crores and the enhancement of the annual days of work per family, from 100 days to 150 days, by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Jagan also asked the Home Minister to release the pending dues of Rs 530 Crores towards rural local bodies grants from the 14th Finance Commission, including Rs 497 Crores, for the financial year of 2020-21, pertaining to the 15th Finance Commission. The CM also asked for the surrendering of costly thermal power allocation of Kudgi & Valluru (M/s NTECL) plants to the AP government, which would make its power sector more robust and sustainable.
The Andhra Pradesh government has an outstanding debt of Rs 50,000 Crores in the power sector, and Jagan is said to have requested for the appropriate restructuring of them, including providing financial assistance for a reverse pumped storage project in Upper Sileru, so that there would be a less financial burden on the AP government.
Furthermore, Jagan is said to have requested Shah for the approval of AP Disha Bills encompassing Criminal Law (AP Amendment) Bill, 2019, Andhra Pradesh Disha (Special Courts for Specified Offences against Women and Children) Bill, 2020 and Andhra Pradesh Land Titling Authority Bill 2020. The CM is also said to have urged the Home Minister to establish a Central Tribal University within the tribal sub-plan area, for the empowerment of the tribal community.