Chandrababu to raise key issues during Southern Zonal Council meeting

Amaravati, Aug 19 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will raise several key issues concerning the State during the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting on Thursday.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. It will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will also discuss coordination among southern states, resolution of inter-state issues, implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, pending bifurcation-related matters and major infrastructure projects, said a release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The Chief Minister will urge the Centre to take the necessary initiative to settle issues relating to the division of institutions listed under Schedules IX and X, distribution of assets and liabilities, and pending financial matters. He will also raise issues concerning the revenue gap and taxation.

The Chief Minister will bring to the Centre’s attention infrastructure projects mentioned in the State Reorganisation Act, including the Dugarajapatnam Port, Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada Metro projects, railway connectivity, airport development and industrial corridors.

He will express gratitude to the Centre for its support in establishing the South Coast Railway Zone headquartered in Visakhapatnam and for funding the Polavaram Project. At the same time, Naidu will seek approvals, funding and Central support for several projects, the CMO said.

The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is the vice-chairman of the council.

The meeting will be attended by chief ministers, lieutenant governors and administrators of the member states and Union Territories, along with two senior ministers from each state.

Telangana is likely to be represented by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is leaving for London on Wednesday night for a 10-day visit to the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

–IANS

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