Financial aid will be given only to Andhra Pradesh, says Arun Jaitley

Hyderabad: Short of giving any assurance on granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh as promised by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh last year, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said Andhra Pradesh would be given special financial assistance in view of the losses it incurred due to bifurcation of the state.

During a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Supplementary Demands for Grants, Telugu Desam members demanded announcement of special category status to AP as promised at the time of the division of the state.

Mr Jaitley admitted Andhra Pradesh is bound to suffer deficit finances due to the bifurcation and the Centre has full sympathy and will provide help to make up the revenue deficit. “Andhra Pradesh is the only state among larger states which has to be given special assistance for five years because the bifurcation has made it a revenue deficit state.

This was the solemn commitment that we as a country have towards Andhra Pradesh because it is one of the performing states,” Mr Jaitley said.