Former MP and Uttarandhra Charcha Vedika convener Konathala Ramakrishna has urged the political parties to arrive at a consensus on the issues pertaining to the development of the north Andhra region.
At a roundtable organised by the Vedika here on Sunday, Mr. Ramakrishna said the issues pertaining to Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts should be included by the parties in their manifestos.
“The region has abundant natural resources. But its development has been neglected by the successive governments,” he said.
Mr. Ramakrishna said establishment of more industries, revival of closed jute units, ensuring viability of sugar factories, and optimum utilisation of water resources were the need of the hour.
We met the heads of all major political parties and explained them about the Vedika’s agenda. The response from all of them, including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, was positive, he said.
Lok Satta Party State president B. Babji expressed concern over migration of people because of lack of employment opportunities. He sought the establishment of government medical and degree colleges in the region. He also urged the Centre to ensure commencement of classes in the proposed Tribal University from the 2019-20 academic year.
‘SCS only solution’
Representatives of the YSRCP, the CPI, and the CPI(M) said real development would be possible only with Special Category Status (SCS). Referring to the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone announced recently, they opposed the bifurcation of Waltair division, which was the backbone for the new entity. They also accused the Centre of doing injustice to A.P. in general and north Andhra in particular by withdrawing funds meant for its development.
Former Parvatipuram MP D.V.G. Sankara Rao, retired engineer Satyanarayana, and CPI leader Kameswara Rao spoke.