New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led BJP government on Friday categorically said granting of special category status to Andhra Pradesh was under its “active consideration” and no final decision in this regard has been taken amidst a planning commission report that opined that the residual state does not qualify for the status.
The BJP government avoided a potential controversy by putting to rest all speculation on whether the new state of Andhra Pradesh qualified for the special category status after the planning commission said in a presentation to its minister Rao Inderjit Singh early on Friday said the state does not qualify to be granted special category status under the current norms.
“The issue of special category status to Andhra Pradesh is under active consideration of the planning commission. No final decision has yet been taken on this issue,” an official spokesperson of the planning commission said. The planning commission’s statement came hours after it told Mr Singh that AP does not qualify to be a special category state under the existing norms of the National Development Council, which is the final authority on such issues. Sources told this newspaper that the presentation to the minister was a routine one and it stated the current norms under which states qualify for special status.
Yanamala Rama Krishnudu ridicules plan panel
AP finance minister Yanamala Rama Krishnudu ridiculed the planning commission’s announcement that AP does not meet National Development Council criteria for special category status. He said the commission has no powers after the Centre took a decision on the issue.
He said the planning commission is only an advisory body, and not a decision making body. Mr Yanamala said that when the Union Cabinet took a decision to give special status for five years to AP, how can the planning commission contradict it. He said that the planning commission’s announcement was illegal. Parliament also approved the decision to give special status to Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation. He expressed confidence that the Centre will give special status to Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile on February 20, 2014, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the special status for Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha. He had said, "I have listened very carefully to the views expressed by the leader of the Opposition and all other members who have spoken, especially those from Andhra Pradesh. The Home Minister has already outlined the specific steps our government will take to address the concerns of all regions of the state, particularly Seemandhra. I would like to make a few further announcements in this regard.
First, for the purpose of Central assistance, special category status will be extended to the successor state of Andhra Pradesh comprising 13 districts, including four districts of Rayalaseema and the three districts of north coastal Andhra for a period of five years. This will put the state's finance on a firmer footing."
The Union cabinet has approved the special status for Andhra Pradesh on March 2, 2014. After the cabinet meeting former Union minister Jairam Ramesh said, "the cabinet gave approval to the announcement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for granting special status category to Seemandhra for five years. The cabinet directed the Planning Commission to implement the decision as per the Prime Minister's announcement. The Planning Commission is the administrative body and Central assistance will be routed through it."
AICC President Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 3, to provide special status to Andhra Pradesh. Sonia Gandhi said, "As you are aware the AP Reorganisation Act contains various investment and other commitments by the Government of India to AP. The former Prime Minister and the former Home Minister had also made certain further commitments on the floor of the Rajya Sabha on February 20, on which the Union Cabinet had taken certain decisions. The UPA government had begun the process of granting special category status to Seemandhra."
Reacting to the letter of AICC President Sonia Gandhi Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on June 4, said, "Andhra Pradesh will be accorded special status, and the process for the same would begin after the new state comes into being on June 8. Definitely special category status would be accorded to Andhra Pradesh. No doubt about that. Let the state be first formed. The moment the state is formed, all other things will follow."
