Overview Y.S. Sharmila , the president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) , has voiced strong criticism against the Members of Parliament (MPs) from Andhra Pradesh for their alleged failure to adequately address crucial state issues, particularly the unfulfilled promises made during the state's bifurcation in 2014 . Her remarks underscore the ongoing tensions and concerns regarding the equitable distribution of resources and developmental projects following the state's division. Key Issues Raised Unfulfilled Bifurcation Promises According to Ms. Sharmila , a significant 95% of the promises made during the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh remain unfulfilled. These promises encompass several critical areas: Special Category Status (SCS): A demand for five years of SCS, which would grant the state preferential treatment in central funding. Polavaram Project: Granting national project status to the Polavaram irrigation project to ensure central funding and timely completion. Amaravati Capital: Construction of a new capital city in Amaravati with central government financial assistance. Kadapa Steel Plant: Establishment of a steel plant in Kadapa . Dugarajapatnam Port: Development of the Dugarajapatnam port . Backward Districts Package: A special financial package for the development of backward districts. Ms. Sharmila stated that only 5-10% of these promises have been realized, highlighting a significant gap between commitments and actual implementation. Polavaram Project Concerns Ms. Sharmila highlighted the reduction in the scope of the Polavaram project , initially planned as a 45-metre gravity project but later modified to a 41-metre lift irrigation system . This change led to a reduction in the project's cost from ₹55,000 crore to ₹30,436 crore , excluding ₹25,000 crore allocated for rehabilitation and resettlement. She criticized the MPs for not raising concerns despite this information being presented in Parliament. Amaravati Funding Shortfall Despite being declared a national project, Amaravati has not received adequate funding from the central government. Ms. Sharmila pointed out that the state government is resorting to loans of up to ₹91,000 crore to build its capital, which she argues should have been funded by the Centre. Other Unfulfilled Promises Other key issues raised by Ms. Sharmila include: The Kadapa steel plant , initially intended to be built by SAIL , was reportedly handed over to Jindal , a private company. The Dugarajapatnam port project has been neglected. The promised ₹25,000 crore for backward districts, similar to the Bundelkhand package , has not been released. Projects like the Metro rail for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada , the Visakhapatnam railway zone , and the Chennai–Visakhapatnam industrial corridor remain unfulfilled. UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Exam , particularly for the following areas: GS Paper II: Polity and Governance: Issues related to federalism, center-state relations, and government policies. GS Paper III: Economy: Infrastructure development, industrial policy, and regional development. Key Takeaways The article highlights the challenges in fulfilling promises made during state bifurcations. It raises questions about the equitable distribution of resources and the role of the central government in supporting newly formed states. The concerns regarding the Polavaram project and Amaravati funding are significant for understanding infrastructure development issues in Andhra Pradesh.