Centre says no special tag, Andhra Pradesh hit

HYDERABAD: In a major setback to Andhra Pradesh, the Centre on Friday made it clear that special category status would not be granted to any state in the country and only special development packages could be considered.

Before the bifurcation, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had assured in the Rajya Sabha that special category status for residuary AP would be granted for five years. Later, then Opposition BJP had promised in their election manifesto that it would see that the five- year period was extended to 10 years.

On Friday, Union minister of state (independent charge) for planning, Rao Inderjit Singh, in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, said special status for states cannot be granted as the 14th Finance Commission was against it.

The YSRC, in reaction, demanded that AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu recall his two ministers from the Union Cabinet.