Congress attacks government for "tokenism" on helping AP, Telangana

NEW DELHI: Accusing the government of failing to fulfil the promises made to Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, a Congress member in Rajya Sabha demanded the release of a Rs 16,000 crore package for development of both states.

"This government has made many promises at the time of reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh. A total of Rs 16,000 crore is meant to be released. The entire package under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act should be released. This government lacks the commitment to do so. It has allocated a meagre budget and has done tokenism," Jesudasu Seelam (Cong) said during Zero Hour.

While the state has been "crying hoarse that the Centre is not cooperating, the Centre is saying that the state is not sending any proposal," he said.

He also demanded immediate disbursal of funds for both states for their speedy development and implementation of the Polavaram project.

Demanding a discussion on the issue, Seelam said the people of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were "suffering and are being antagonised. ... People want justice."

Even before Seelam stopped speaking, members of the Congress from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were on their feet associating with the issue.