HYDERABAD, Sept 19 :
The political stalemate in the State continues to hamper the setting up of the sanctioned projects by the Centre to Andhra Pradesh The inauguration of the Rs. 6,000- crore NTPC- BHEL joint venture unit to manufacture power equipment has been postponed inadvertently.
Last week, the interim Chief Minister K Rosaiah announced that Prime Minister Manmohan Sing would lay the foundation stone for the NTPC- BHEL joint venture unit at Mannavaram near Srikalahasti in Chittoor district on September 20.
According to the reliable sources here, the Prime Minister’s Office declined to finalise the dates of inaugural ceremony at Mannavaram. Reason cited by the PMO’s office was that the intelligence bureau had cautioned the authorities of possible disturbances by Jagan faction when the PM visits the state. Jagan’s supporters in the state are extremely disappointed with the High Command and this may lead to some disturbances when the PM pays visit to the state.
However it is learnt that Manmohan Singh has communicated to the state government that he will not be visiting the state to lay the foundation stone for the unit until the political stalemate in the state following the death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is resolved.
The Mannavaram project seems to be encountering hurdle after hurdle and God only knows when it will fructify. Initially when the Centre has allotted the project to AP, the Rajasthan government challenged Centre’s decision. A technical committee was appointed to examine which of the two states is suitable for setting up of the project. With the technical committee standing in favour of AP, the inaugural ceremony of project was slated for September 6. But the sudden demise of Rajasekhara Reddy forced its postponement.
It is only to be hoped that the dust settles down on the leadership issue in the State and projects and programs allotted to the state will take a proper shape for the progress of Andhra Pradesh.