(a) whether the Government of Andhra Pradesh has urged upon the Central Government for grant of Rs.8600/- crore as an Additional Central Assistance in order to finance critical development projects; and
(b) if so, the response of the Government thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SMT NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): As per Statement 16 of the Expenditure Budget 2014 -15, Volume 1, an amount of Rs.338408.49 crore is budgeted in BE 2014-15 as ‘Central Assistance for State and Union Territory Plans’. Also Budget provision for State component of ‘Backward Region Grant Fund’ and ‘Other Additional Central Assistance’ is provided under Demand No. 36 for the year 2014-15 (BE). The need to support critical development projects in the States and inter-state allocation of central assistance is decided within the contours of the respective schemes and factored in at the time of finalization of Annual Plan of the States.