Friends,

Loksatta Party is proud to announce that our intervention on the Telangana bill
with key leaders in the Parliament is singularly responsible for securing and pr
otecting the economic future of the new state of Andhra Pradesh and the new stat
e of Telengana.
What has been finally announced in part or whole measure is fully attributable t
o the seminal T-Bill amendments forwarded by Loksatta Party on January 18th, 201
4 on the floor of the undivided AP Assembly.
No other party can remotely stake claim to this comprehensive solution on all fr
onts, accounting for constitutional provisions, pervading economic, natural and
infrastructure conditions and human development indicators.
Furthermore, we have yet again established what a party with vision and genuine
care for its citizens can deliver for the country.
At a time when all other political parties were uniformly spouting crass regiona
l and divisive mantras and were exclusively focused on their vote banks, with an
insolent disregard for the Telugu people, LSP were the only party with a soluti
on that secured a firm and committed economic roadmap for every single region in
the new Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states.
What's more, Loksatta Party took its influence to Delhi to ensure that the bill
adopted 9 salient features from its proposal.
Loksatta alone brought to light the biggest economic issue. The revenue deficit
in the new AP places it in the red from day 1, putting even salary payments at r
isk. As per our proposal, which the centre has now followed to the hilt, the new
state of AP will be compensated for 10 years with no budgetary problems. This i
s a significant accomplishment.
1. Revenue deficit in the new state of AP to be compensated for 10 years. Neutra
lizes budgetary problems, commitment secured. An LSP win for AP!
2. Tax exemption for the new AP for 20 years from excise duty and corporate tax,
and other incentives. While the centre's verbiage still lacks clarity, the idea
is on the table due to LSP. We will make it categorical shortly. An LSP win for
AP!
3. Special category region status to all of the new Andhra Pradesh, including Ra
yalaseema and North Coastal Andhra. Central grants and Planning Commission devol
ved funds. High percentage and favorable terms. An original LSP idea from seed t
o fruition. Centre has offered 5 years, LSP will extend it to 10. An LSP win for
AP!
4. Ensure Polavaram irrigation project in the new AP. Submerged regions to be ma
de part of AP. Rehabilitation is no longer an issue. An LSP win for AP!
5. Many surplus water dependent projects in Rayalaseema and Telengana provided f
or by our amendments. Now enshrined by the Centre. Neither state can impede the
others' development. This prevents future water battles. An LSP win for AP and T
elengana!
6. GoI investments for infrastructure and educational institutions in the new AP
secured and committed by the Centre due to LSP proposal. An LSP win for AP!
7. Provisions for securing law and order of Hyderabad included. An as-needed ame
ndment has been assured.
8. A 4000 MW Power Plant in Telengana sanctioned and committed solely due to LSP
effort. An LSP win for Telengana!
9. Central commitment for road networks in backward areas of Telengana has been
secured. An LSP win for Telengana!
While we condemn the grotesque manner in which the T-bill was handled by the Con
gress, we do thank the BJP for being LSP spokespeople in the Parliament and advo
cating the valuable improvements proposed by LSP that not only avert stillborn s
tatus for the new states but actually bootstraps them into a development path. L
SP will continue stay vigilant and monitor this closely to ensure that the chang
es adopted are actually brought to bear as there's many a slip between the cup a
nd the lip. We will not tolerate backtracking.
The Telugu people have been cheated, swindled and betrayed in equal measure by Y
SRCP and TDP. Why were these two silent on the amendments? Why didn't they engag
e in constructive debate for a better state division on the floor of the state A
ssembly? Where was their concern for the people when the bill was sent to the Le
gislature explicitly for suggestions and improvements? Are their abilities to de
vise solutions decrepit? They have demonstrated their callous and selfish politi
cal nature by simultaneously shouting on the streets for their votes while remai
ning silent on development issues for the people.