Andhra Pradesh will be turned into a golden state under the TDP-BJP government over the next five years, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.

TDP and BJP would transform the State into 'Swarna Andhra Pradesh' in the next five years by ensuring all-round growth, she said. Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh, was speaking at a public meeting organised by State Government to announce enhanced pensions for senior citizens, widows and physically handicapped which came into effect from today.

She said the NDA Government at the Centre would provide full support to Andhra Pradesh to achieve rapid growth on all fronts. The Centre will also look after the financial needs of the State so that it is able to fund development and welfare programmes, said Sitharaman, who also handles Finance and Corporate Affairs portfolios in MoS capacity.

Later, addressing a press meet, she said a revenue deficit of Rs 15,200 crore, faced by Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation, will be fully met by the Union Government. The residuary State will also get all benefits envisaged under the special category status which has been accorded to it, the Minister said