Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajeev Kumar had a special meeting with AP CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy in Capital City. He heaped praise on Jagan for introducing the massive cash transfer ‘Navaratnalu’ welfare programmes. He also expressed concerns over the deteriorating finances of the state government. Rajeev Kumar commented on the increasing revenue deficit and higher non-plan expenditure in AP.

CM Jagan and Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam narrated the problems of the residual Andhra Pradesh after the reorganization. They stressed the greater need for the Niti Aayog to generously support the ailing state with more grants and funds. Jagan made a special request for industrial incentives and Central funds to cover revenue deficit and take up development projects.

There’s a need to provide funds for ‘Navaratnalu’. Once again, Jagan didn’t make any request for funds for Amaravati Capital City project. There were reports before that CM told Modi-Shah that he would not ask for any funds for Capital as his priorities have changed.