New Delhi, Jan 8: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged the Centre to accord statutory status to Amaravati as the permanent capital of the state.
During the meeting, Naidu requested the Union government to introduce a Bill in Parliament granting statutory recognition to Amaravati, describing it as crucial for Andhra Pradesh’s long-term development, stability and policy certainty.
The Chief Minister arrived in New Delhi after visiting the Polavaram project site earlier in the day. Both leaders reviewed key development initiatives and welfare programmes related to Andhra Pradesh.
Emphasising the importance of legislative backing, Naidu said formal recognition of Amaravati would accelerate development, fulfil the aspirations of the people of Andhra Pradesh and boost investor confidence in the state.
The Chief Minister also raised concerns over certain provisions of the recently enacted VB–G-RAM-G scheme, which has replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He sought flexibility in the scheme’s implementation, particularly with regard to its financial provisions.
Naidu explained that the revised Centre–State funding ratio of 60:40 under the new scheme would place an additional financial burden on Andhra Pradesh, which is already facing fiscal stress.
He cautioned that the change could affect effective implementation of the programme and requested alternative financial support and flexibility, keeping the state’s financial situation in mind.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the Centre’s support in helping Andhra Pradesh recover from financial difficulties and appealed for continued cooperation.
Discussions during the meeting also covered ongoing development projects, welfare schemes and recent developments in the state.
The two leaders are also understood to have deliberated on allocations for Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget.
Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key ally in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, reportedly sought higher budgetary allocations for various projects in the state.
