Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu meets Union ministers, seeks central support for projects

Vijayawada: Explaining the adverse impact on the aqua sector due to the proposed 26% tariffs by the US govt, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu urged Union commerce and industries minister Piyush Goyal to initiate talks with the US govt.
Suggesting short, medium, and long-term measures to protect the interests of aqua farmers, the CM said Andhra Pradesh has a major share in Indian seafood exports, and lakhs of farmers are directly affected due to the tariffs.
Naidu, who returned from his Europe tour on Monday, met four Union ministers on Tuesday and discussed various state-related projects. During his meeting with Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil, he renewed the pitch for additional allocation of funds to the state under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He explained how the Polavaram-Banakacharla link project can make Andhra Pradesh a drought-free state. He also discussed the Atal Bhujal Yojana, highlighting the state govt's initiatives to improve groundwater levels, and sought central funding for the programme.
Later, Naidu met Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and discussed the establishment of a high court bench in Kurnool. He urged the Centre to initiate the necessary procedures and extend cooperation for its setup. The chief minister was accompanied by Union ministers Rammohan Naidu and Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, and other MPs from the state.
Naidu also met Union home minister Amit Shah and apprised him of the key initiatives undertaken by his govt, and sought his support in their implementation. Sources said Shah and Naidu discussed filling up the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by V Vijay Sai Reddy. The BJP high command is seeking to send one of its candidates from Andhra Pradesh. According to sources, BJP is looking to send either Annamalai or Smriti Irani to the Rajya Sabha from AP.