CM Chandrababu Naidu requests Nirmala Sitharaman for enhanced assistance under Purvodaya, SASCI schemes

​Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to extend necessary support to Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) under Purvodaya Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) schemes. He asked for an allocation of ₹10,054 crore under SASCI for FY 2025-26. 

Also, he wanted the Centre to provide funds in the Union Budget for the development of ​Rayalaseema as a global horticulture hub (where about 18 types of crops are grown) and support for the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project, which is aimed at diverting surplus Godavari floodwaters to the drought-prone regions.

​Further, Mr. Naidu requested funds for education, skill development, agriculture, MSMEs, housing, roads, and irrigation projects. 

He appealed to Ms. Sitharaman to sanction funds for the Unity Mall project in Visakhapatnam, reconstruction of the Havelock Bridge (Akhanda Godavari), and Gandikota tourism project.

While thanking the Centre for its support to irrigation projects in the State, Mr. Naidu requested financial assistance for diverting 200 TMCFT of surplus Godavari floodwater from the Polavaram to drought-hit regions.

Water resources

In a separate meeting with the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, Mr. Naidu asked for pending clearances for Polavaram project works so that it can be expedited, and requested him to prevail on the Karnataka Government not to raise the height of Almatti dam. 

He also appealed for immediate financial assistance to projects approved under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and sought a high-level meeting to be convened to address pending issues.

Further, the CM sought allocation of an additional ₹1,000 crore for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) for the FY 2025-26, while informing that the State has already spent about ₹525 crore against its share. 

Then, he requested Mr. Patil to release the Central Government’s share of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) scheme for construction of tanks and canals.

He urged the Centre to issue clear guidelines for the implementation of ​Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal’s decisions on the Neradi barrage project so that the State’s rights would not be compromised.