Hyderabad: Promising more funds for residuary AP in lieu of special category status that was rejected by the 14th Finance Commission, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said in Delhi that the financial needs of AP will be taken care of with due diligence.
Speaking to media in Delhi on Saturday, the finance minister indirectly hinted that granting special category status to AP as promised by NDA cannot be conceded now and it will be considered in due course. “It is a fact we had promised granting special category status to residuary state of AP, but 14th finance commission has recommended against granting special category status. We cannot at this stage straight away decide against this recommendation. We will to have explore other alternatives for which we are working, we will give more than what AP would have got under special category status,” Mr Jaitley said.
He also said NDA government is fully committed to implement each and every aspect of the AP Reorganisation Act including the promises made at the time of passage of Bill in Parliament. “We are here to grant more funds and projects to AP to make up for the financial loss the state is subjected to on account of bifurcation of state. We will do justice to AP in all respects. We knew AP was suffering more on account of finances since they have lost Hyderabad capital city in the bifurcation,” he added. Replying to a question the minister said BJP allaince with TDP in both Telangana and AP would continue.
