About the demand of ‘Special Category Status’ raised by the Chief Minister Naidu, Singh articulated that, the Special Status is out of the purview of the Ṭerms of Reference of Finance Commission.
Singh heaped praises on river interlinking programme in order to resolve the problem of water scarcity. He asserted that the agriculture sector will be benefited by AP government’s prestigious linking project.
Expressing satisfaction over the high growth rate especially agricultural growth achieved by AP, the Finance Commission advised Chief Minister Naidu to adopt the policy of smart agriculture for the expansion and value addition of the food processing industry.
When asked about the contentious ‘Ṭerms of Reference ’using population census 2011, the Chairman clarified that Commission will study the reservation expressed by the stake-holders and steps will be taken to incentivize those states who have done well in controlling their population.
Commission appreciated the high growth rate including agricultural growth achieved by the state. It exhorted the state govt to adopt smart agriculture and expand the food processing sector for value addition.
Yesterday, members of 15th Finance Commission led by Chairman Commission Shri N.K.Singh interacted with Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu and his cabinet colleagues.
The Commission also held discussions with representatives of political parties of Andhra Pradesh and deliberated on issues like losses due to bifurcation, revenue deficit, land pooling, package for backward districts and other development projects.