Jagan Mohan Reddy seeks revenue report to pitch special status demand for Andhra Pradesh

The newly appointed chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has asked officials to prepare report on the state's financial condition to support his pitch for Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh.

The report of Andhra Pradesh's financial status will be placed before the 15th Finance Commission, stressing the need for the state's special category status.

On Saturday, Jagan Mohan Reddy conducted his maiden review meeting with officials at his camp office-cum-residence in Amravati. Chief Secretary LV Subramanyam and officials of the revenue and finance department had also attended the meeting.

Along with a report on the state's financial status, Jagan Mohan Reddy also asked the officials to come up with novel ideas to improve the state revenue without burdening common man. He suggested a green tax on industrial waste, value addition to red sanders, getting loans at a low interest rate and a sand policy.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the excise and prohibition income should not be considered as a mere revenue source.

While stressing on the debt-ridden status of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "Today, the state's debt burden is very high.

The debt was at Rs 97,000 crore when the state was bifurcated. In the last five years, our debt has up to Rs 2.58 lakh crore. Our interest repayments alone are at Rs 20,000 crore per annum."

According to an Economic Times report, Andhra Pradesh's principal and interest put together amount to Rs 40,000 per annum.

Apart from this, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also discussed his flagship "Liquor Ban" scheme. In the meeting, he reiterated his wish to close liquor shops in Andhra Pradesh.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said that his government will come up with more effective liquor policy which will focus on restricting the liquor belt outlets.

"Belt shops should be removed to protect the interests of the poor. If necessary, the government should consider running liquor shops on its own," Jagan Mohan Reddy said in the meeting. Further, he asked the officials to study the best practices observed in other states.

(With inputs from IANS)