Special status eludes Andhra Pradesh
HYDERABAD: Even as the Centre is sending out indications that it cannot accord special category status to the truncated Andhra Pradesh by bypassing relevant rules, TDP MPs from Seemandhra raised their voice and made it clear that they would not compromise on getting a special status to the state as was promised by the then UPA government while passing the AP Reorganisation Bill-2014.
Party MPs K Ramamohana Naidu and M Murali Mohan, while interacting with reporters in Delhi, said they would further exert pressure on the Centre to get special status to the state.
As there was no progress on the issue of according special category status to the truncatexd state even six months after bifurcation, the TDP government appears to be pressing the panic button.
In fact, the special category status is accorded to states based on criteria that include hilly and difficult terrain; low population density and or sizeable share of tribal population; strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries; economic and infrastructure backwardness, and non-viable nature of state finances.
The special status allows a state to get 90 per cent of the Centre's devolutions in the form of grants and only 10 per cent as loans whereas other states get 30 per cent in grants and the rest as loans.
News Posted: 13 December, 2014
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