The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has raised the issues of special category status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh, anti-defection law, reservation for backward classes (BCs) in proportion to their population, etc. in an all-party meeting convened by the central government. The Parliament session is starting from Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday, YSRCP parliamentary party leader V. Vijaya Sai Reddy said that his party had asked the Center to fulfill the promises made to the people at the time of bifurcation of entire Andhra Pradesh.
The Center should grant special category status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh, similarly, the South Coast Railway zone with its headquarters at Visakhapatnam was announced four years ago, and a detailed project report prepared three years ago. But, till date the railway zone is only on paper. The overarching policy of the Bharatiya Janata Party is to privatize loss-making Public Sector Units (PSUs). But, she was keen to privatize the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, which is running profitably. He said, YSRCP has requested to postpone its privatization plan.
Mr Reddy said the Center has recently sanctioned ₹12,911 for the Polavaram project. The Center was requested to release the remaining ₹4,233 crore for the project. In addition, the state government has already spent ₹1,310 crore on the Polavaram project. The Center was requested to reimburse it, he said.
The anti-defection law and the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution were not being implemented in letter and spirit. The Presiding Officers in the State Legislatures and the Lok Sabha were not implementing the anti-defection law as intended. The Center has been asked to take steps for its strict implementation, he added.
Stating that the representation of women in Parliament and Assemblies is low, the YSRCP MP stressed on the need to improve their representation in Legislatures. Also, reservation for backward classes should be in proportion to their population. He said that at present the reservation is 27% while their population was more than 50%.
Responding to a question on the Uniform Civil Code, Mr. Reddy said that no other party except the BJP knew what the contents of the Bill would be. The Law Commission was still receiving objections and suggestions from the stakeholders. The Law Commission was to submit its report to the government, which would be examined by the cabinet. He said the draft bill would have to be passed by a two-thirds majority as it required a constitutional amendment.