Arun Jaitley rules out tag, vows sops

Hyderabad: Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday once again ruled out granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh but assured that the Centre would provide a financial package that would be better than what the special status would bring to the state.

Telugu Desam and BJP MPs from AP met Mr Jaitley to press their demand for special status that was promised by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha at the time of bifurcation of undivided AP.

Union minister of state Sujana Chowdary told newsmen after a meeting with Mr Jaitely that the matter (special status) was under active consideration. Meanwhile, a package would be announced by the Centre.

“We have our own strategy on the issue. The Opposition parties are only making a hue and cry on the special status whereas we are committed to bringing more financial help from Centre,” Mr Chowdary said.

BJP AP unit president and Vizag MP Kambhampati Haribabu said the Centre was committed to implement each and every provision of the AP Reorganisation Act including extending a special financial package.

“We may get something more through the special package than what we would have got under the special category status,” Mr Haribabu said.

TD MPs on Tuesday also gave notice under Rule 193 (that entails no voting) on the issue for a special discussion in the Lok Sabha.

It is doubtful whether the Speaker will allow the notice and take up a discussion in view of the pending business in the House before the Monsoon Session is adjourned sine die.