THE AGONY OF ANDHRA

In February 2014, the Parliament passed The Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act which gave birth to the 29^th state of the country, Telangana. While the bill was being considered by the Rajya Sabha, the then Leader of Opposition Mr Arun Jaitley moved certain amendments to the bill in order to protect the interest of Andhra Pradesh. 

In order to dispel the apprehensions of Mr Jaitley, on 20 February 2014, the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh made a statement on the floor of the Rajya Sabha in which he gave six assurances, which is as follows:

“Mr. Chairman Sir:

I have listened very carefully to the views expressed by the Leader of Opposition and all the other members who have spoken, especially those from Andhra Pradesh. The Home Minister has already mentioned the specific steps our Government will take to address the concerns of all regions of the state, particularly of Seemandhra.

I would like to make a few further announcements in this regard. 

First, for purposes of Central assistance, Special Category Status will be extended to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts, including the four districts of Rayalaseema and the three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years. This will put the state's finances on a firmer footing. 

Second, the Bill already stipulates that the Central Government shall take appropriate fiscal measures, including offer of tax incentives to the successor states in order to promote industrialization and economic growth in both the states.  These incentives will be along the lines extended to some other states.

Third, the Bill already provides for a special development package for the backward regions of the successor state of Andhra Pradesh, in particular for the districts of Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. This development package will be on the lines of the K-B-K (Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi) Special Plan in Odisha and the Bundelkhand special package in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Fourth, I would like to reassure Honourable Members that if any further   amendments are needed to facilitate smooth and full Rehabilitation & Resettlement(R&R) for the Polavaram project, they will be given effect to at the earliest. Our government will execute the Polavaram project--let there be no doubt about it.

Fifth, the appointed day for the formation of the new State will be so fixed in relation to the notified date so as to enable preparatory work relating to personnel, finance and distribution of assets and liabilities to be completed satisfactorily.

Sixth, the resource gap that may arise in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh in the very first year, especially during the period between the appointed day and the acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations by the Government of India, will be compensated in the Regular Union Budget for 2014-15.

Sir, I hope these additional announcements will demonstrate our steadfast commitment to not just the creation of Telangana but also to the continued prosperity and welfare of Seemandhra."

After this statement was made by Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Jaitley withdrew his amendments to the bill. In order to implement those assurances the Union Cabinet, on 01 March 2014 cleared an Ordinance which incorporated and gave legislative effect to all the assurances made by the then Prime Minister in the Rajya Sabha. The Ordinance was even forwarded to the President for approval, but in the meantime the Model Code of Conduct came into effect as the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced. This prevented the UPA Government from promulgating that Ordinance.

After the Lok Sabha elections, the NDA Government took office on 26 May 2014. In its first budget, the government committed itself to fulfilling all the promises made to Andhra Pradesh. But as months went by it was clear that the government was going back on its commitment. 

When asked to declare Special Category status to the state, the government cites the 14^th Finance Commission’s recommendation of discontinuing with the policy of Special Category status. They further claim that the government has initiated steps in various developmental activities for the state.

The Fundamental point that the government fails to comprehend is that the issue is not about the technicalities of the Finance Commission’s recommendations but of the sanctity of the assurance made by a Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament and the prestige of the Rajya Sabha.

The ruling establishment must also understand that in a democracy, Government is a continuing entity even as the parties who become a part of it change from time to time. Therefore, it is incumbent on the current government to honour the decision taken by the Union Cabinet on 01 March 2014.

If the present government in any way is committed to the progress and prosperity of the state of Andhra Pradesh, it must implement all the assurances made by Dr Manmohan Singh with a sense of urgency. That is the only way to preserve the gravitas of the Office of Prime Minister and the honour of the Rajya Sabha.