Resolution to implement AP Act-2014 passed unanimously

The Implementation of provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act-2014, and also the assurances given by the then Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha, were a matter of “life and death” for people of the state, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here on Wednesday, even as the AP Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Centre to expedite the implementation process.

The Chief Minister moved the resolution under Rule 77 in the Assembly listing 17 main issues that the state wanted the Centre to address immediately.

While extending support to the resolution, Leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy asked the Chief Minister if the Telugu Desam Party would issue an “ultimatum” to the Centre for implementing the Act in a month.

“Will you issue an ultimatum to the Centre that you will pull out your (two) ministers from the Narendra Modi government if it doesn’t concede our demands in a month,” Jagan asked. The Chief Minister, however, brushed it aside saying it was a “life and death issue” for the people of the state and he was “seriously” pursuing it with the Centre.

The TDP hurriedly moved the resolution in the Assembly on Wednesday as the Congress raised, in Parliament on Tuesday, issues like grant of special category status to AP and implementation of other provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act.

The House witnessed a bitter war of words between the Treasury and Opposition benches during the 130-minute debate before the resolution was adopted.

“While thanking the efforts of the Union Government in resolving certain issues pertaining to the state reorganisation, the House unanimously resolves to request the Government of India to implement expeditiously all the provisions contained in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 and all other commitments made in the Act and assurances made by then Prime Minister in Rajya Sabha on February 20, 2014 and to continue to handhold the state till it achieves level-playing field on par with neighbouring states,” the resolution said.

The government also sought implementation of Section 8 that pertains to law and order maintenance issues in the joint capital Hyderabad under the direct supervision of the Governor, who is also common for the two states.