Approve revised estimates of Rs.55,657 Cr, release Rs.2100 Cr: Jagan urges PM

New Delhi: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve the revised cost estimates of Rs. 55,657 crore and release pending dues of Rs 2100 crore.

Chief Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi and discussed several key issues related to the state.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to approve the revised cost estimates of Rs. 55,657 crore at 2017-18 price level, which includes drinking water component of Rs. 4,000 crores. He also sought pending dues of Rs. 2,100 crore spent by the state government on the Polavaram project.

The Chief Minister said the total revenue deficit for 2014-15 was Rs. 22,948.76 crore and the amount released to the state was only Rs. 4,117.89 crore. He requested that the remaining portion of Rs. 18830.87 crore be released at the earliest, to support the state during this hour of need.

The Chief Minister said an amount of Rs. 6,284 crore is receivable by Andhra Pradesh Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) from the Telangana State Distribution Utilities. He said Telangana DISCOMs have recognized the amount as payables but are yet to make the payment.

He requested the Prime Minister to direct the concerned authorities to settle these dues at the earliest so that the state power sector will be financially strengthened.

The Chief Minister said there is inadequate coverage of beneficiaries under the NFSA (National Food Security) Act, and a large number of needy and deserving persons have not been covered. He requested the Prime Minister to direct the concerned officials to update the list. He also urged that a comprehensive view be taken on the poverty levels in the state. He said wider coverage of the population under TPDS should be ensured and the anomaly is rectified.

The Chief Minister said the NBC (net borrowing ceiling) for the financial year 2021-22 was originally fixed at Rs. 42,472 crore as per the FRBM norms fixed by the Central Government. The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has subsequently informed that an amount of Rs. 17,923.24 crore is to be adjusted against the NBC fixed for this year on account of the so-called over-borrowing of the state during the tenure of the previous government.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the so-called overdraw was only borrowing and not a grant and the borrowing is also being serviced without any default. He has requested the Prime Minister that the state's NBC be restored to its original level of Rs. 42,472 crore.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy urged the Prime Minister for site clearance of the Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram. Regarding setting up Integrated Steel Plant in YSR Kadapa District, he said MECON, has not yet concluded its report. He urged the Prime Minister to direct the concerned officials to expedite it.

He said the state government has incorporated 'YSR Steel Corporation Ltd' in Kadapa district. He said requests have been made to the Ministry of Mines to reserve iron ore mineral areas in favor of AP Mineral Development Corporation Ltd.

Such reservation is permitted by the extant legal framework. However, the Ministry of Mines, Government has suggested the auction route for securing the supply of minerals. "Auction route would minimize the possibility of availability of low-cost mineral," he said.

Jagan urged the Prime Minister to direct Mines Ministry to reserve mineral areas as it is of vital importance for the future of the project.

Later, the Chief Minister called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and discussed the issues related to the state.