AP Cabinet meet starts in Vijayawada

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet meeting in the Chief Minister's office in Vijayawada on Saturday morning started discussing issues arising out of the non-fulfilment of Central assurances to AP in the post-split scenario. The Centre was to compensate for the the revenue shortfall of Rs 16,000 crore to AP. But not much had been done in this regard. Also, the Centre is dilly dallying on the Special Category Status for the State. Besides, the Centre is passing off regular allocations to the State as its munificence. The Cabinet discussed, among other things, filling up of some 25,000 posts in the State. The Cabinet was to take a decision on the issue. The Cabinet was also expected to discuss the welfare programmes taken up for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and the Kapus. The ruling TDP had given an assurance on the Backward Class status to the Kapus, who form the majority in the Coastal Andhra. Kapu leader is making a forceful demand for the inclusion of the Kapus among the Backward Classes. The issue is going to be decided by the Manjunath Committee.