Why Special status to Andhra Pradesh

     Written by : SMTV24x7 | Thu, Apr 12, 2018, 01:06 PM

why Special status to AP; When & Where it was promised? 14th Finance Commission impact

Delhi, Apr 12: Andhra Pradesh's demand for special category status has once again become an argument over which there is continuing disagreement, both in the state and at the center. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have departed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, and five MPs from the opposition YSR Congress Party have acknowledged their resignations to the speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Special Category means:

It was assumed in the prior by the National Development Council on the proposal of the Planning Commission to states that needed special consideration. The lineaments include: (i) hilly and difficult terrain; (ii) low population density and/or a sizeable tribal population; (iii) strategic location; (iv) economic backwardness; and (v) non-viable nature of state finances.

The states which have got granted special category status previously...
1. JAMMU & KASHMIR
2. ARUNACHAL PRADESH
3. HIMACHAL PRADESH
4. MEGHALAYA
5. ASSAM
6. MIZORAM
7. NAGALAND
8. SIKKIM
9. MANIPUR
10.TRIPURA
11.UTTARAKHAND

14th Finance Commission impact:

Though the commission did not decidedly block the government from allowing special category status to any state, it incorporated both Plan and non-Plan transfers to states and did not categorize between special and general category states in resolving transfers. It seized a extensive view of the commonalities (the fact of sharing characteristics with someone (or) something) and special characteristics of individual states to reach at expenditure demand.

Special category status promised by whom and where?

Although there is no mention of special category status in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, an assurance of special category status for a period of 5 years was given on 20 February 2014 by then prime minister Manmohan Singh on the floor of the Rajya Sabha. During the 2014 election campaign, the BJP promised to extend it to 10 years.

BJP government unwilling now, why?

In 2016, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley did not absolutely exclude granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaitley stated rigid budgetary conditions make it problematic to grant special category status to AP. Latterly, he has been more clear-cut about his inefficiency to grant special category status to the state.

Is there any replacement?

Jaitley has advised that Andhra Pradesh could be given a 'monetary equivalent' to special category status. Anyhow, the state hasn't concurred now, the issue has become sentimental one for people of the state, who feel they have been offended by the central government.