The Union Cabinet has displayed neither competence and capacity nor seriousness and sincerity in addressing the problems being triggered by its decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, charged Lok Satta Party national President Dr Jayaprakash Narayan on Saturday.
JP said the Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation Bill cleared by the Union Cabinet along with amendments on February 7 was a total disappointment.
“It has singularly failed to adopt the specific, constructive and practicable solutions offered by the Lok Satta Party in its representations. The Union Cabinet has let down people as also their representatives by going back on its promise to incorporate provisions that ensure a bright future for all Telugu speaking people,” he said.
JP said the Bill had not addressed the huge revenue deficit the residuary Andhra Pradesh will face consequent to Hyderabad city becoming part of Telangana.
While Hyderabad city enjoys a revenue surplus of Rs.13,000 crore, the residuary Andhra Pradesh has a deficit of Rs.7000 crore going by 2012-13 data.
The deficit is expected to shoot up to more than Rs.10000 crore in 2014-15.
The Union Government which has caused the problem because of its decision to bifurcate the State is duty bound to provide a solution too.
“If the Union Government is serious, it should earmark funds for at least a decade from the Consolidated Fund of India to the residuary Andhra Pradesh towards meeting its deficit and make a beginning by making allocation in the Vote on Account budget to be introduced in Parliament soon,” he said.
