New Delhi:  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy discussed several key issues related to the State with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening at PM’s residence. YS Jagan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed on the State pending issues i.e. Polavaram project, Kadapa Steel Plant, rationality in coverage of beneficiaries under National Food Security Act and arrears from Telangana discoms to the State.

According to the CMOs press release, CM requested the Prime Minister Modi to approve the revised cost estimates of Rs 55,548.87 crore for Polavaram as per Technical Advisory Committee meeting on February 11^th, 2019. Jagan said Rs 31,118 crore needs to be spent on the project of which Rs 8,590 crore is for construction and Rs 22,598 crore is for rehabilitation. He also requested the Modi to clear the bills in toto and not component-wise and added to directly transfer R&R package amount to the accounts of beneficiaries without any delay.

There is inadequate coverage of beneficiaries under NFSA Act, and a large number of needy and deserving persons being uncovered. He said while the state government is providing ration to 1.45 crore families, only 0.89 crore families are receiving ration from Central government and the state government is providing ration to remaining 0.56 crore families, said the CMO’s press release. He also urged the Prime Minister to renew the approvals of the site clearances for Green Field international airport at Bhogapuram. In regard to setting up of an Integrated Steel Plant in YSR district, he said MECON, a Government of India undertaking, has not yet concluded its report as to the feasibility of the integrated steel plant.

He said the State Government has incorporated YSR Steel Corporation Ltd’ for establishing the steel plant and sought the Centre’s support. YS Jagan urged Modi to give approvals to allot beach sand minerals to the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation in 16 places, and give approval for setting up another 12 teaching hospitals in the state.

The press release also said that CM explained the State Government has spent Rs 32,625.25 crore in the form of pending bills during bifurcation and as a part of implementation of X Wage Commission recommendations and urged the Prime Minister to fill the revenue deficit.

State Government has lost revenue due to bifurcation and Covid-19 pandemic and urged the Prime Minister to relax the credit limit of the State, said Jagan.