New Delhi sources stated that when responding to YSR Congress party (YSRCP) MP Vijayasai Reddy's query on the status of Vijayawada Metro Rail, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, during Thursday's Rajya Sabha session said the Andhra Pradesh government did not make any such proposal to the Centre.
Accordingly no proposal was sent by the State government after the Centre in September, 2017 sought a proposal for the Metro Rail project as per the new guidelines of the revised Metro Rail policy. He clarified "Urban transportation is an element of the town planning framework, which is completely a State subject. The State governments have the responsibility to provide the basic amenities related to urban transportation".
Moreover when responding to another query raised by Vijayasai Reddy in the Upper House, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Dr. Satya Pal Singh said a majority of primary schools across the country were running in compliance with the Right to Education (RTE). Reportedly the Union Minister further explained the role of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) in implementing the RTE. Since the SSA's rollout in 2001, 4,455 primary schools have been started, 70,204 classrooms and 36,906 toilets have been built. SSA provided for drinking water facilities in 7,143 schools.
