Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Despite facing threats from NDA ally TDP, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today ruled out granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh but said the government was ready to give monetary equivalent of the same in the form of a special package.
The Telugu Desam Party has threatened to quit the NDA alliance if the state is not granted the special status as was promised when the state was bifurcated in 2014.
Govt willing to satisfy every condition for AP, but within the purview of Constitution: Jaitley
image:
Addressing mediapersons on the demands of Andhra Pradesh, Finance minister clarified that the only variation is that after Finance Commission report instead of formally calling it a special category state, we are calling it a special package, which gives same monetary benefits that a special category state gives you.
He elaborated that the special status used to be originally granted to states in the North-East because they have their own resources that were inadequate.
Mr Jaitley said Centre is willing to give revenue to Andhra Pradesh in the ratio of 90:10 (90 per cent by Central Government and 10 per cent by State Government) for centrally sponsored scheme as the states with special category status are getting. Otherwise states are getting the revenue in the ratio of 60:40.
He added that Centre stands committed to it. The state has to tell us what manner it wants it in. At no stage has the Centre said that we will not give it.
He accepted that one of the promises was that Andhra Pradesh should be given special status. Provision for revenue deficit in case of Andhra Pradesh as per Finance Commission already made.
Mr Jaitley also accepted that Andhra Pradesh was unwilling and Telangana wanted the division. Andhra was suffering in terms of resources. Therefore some help had to be given to AP.
So one of the promises was, AP should be given special category status. At that time, special category state concept did exist. But, according to 14th Finance Commission there is no special category status now to be given.
On the issue of protest in the Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister said that political sentiment does not decide quantum of funds
