Centre promises all to AP but special Status

​New Delhi: The Centre once again refused to commit itself on granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh and only promised to deliver all the assurances incorporated in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

Responding to the demand of the Congress members in the Upper House on Tuesday, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Centre was willing to give Andhra Pradesh, what all was due. "Every paisa would be given. Each and every rupee promised would be handed over.

We will meet your revenue deficit too as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission," Jaitley assured the members.The Finance Minister stated that the Centre had already allotted fund for the new capital city and budgetary allocations too had been made for Polavaram project, a multi-purpose irrigation project.

He further promised to clarify more on the Polavaram issue during the Budget debate. The Centre would adhere to its promise of coming to the rescue of Andhra Pradesh in every sense as and when necessary and there should be no apprehensions in this regard, he reiterated dismissing Congress members allegations.

Earlier, Congress leaders -- Ghulam Nabi Azad, Digvijay Singh and K V P Ramachandra Rao took up the issue of Special Status and reminded the Centre that it was a promise made on the floor of the House.

The leaders of the BJP had sought the Special Status for 10 years on the floor of the House when the then Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, wanted the same for a minimum of five years.

The Congress leaders said the Prime Minister had assured the House then that the revenue deficit would be taken care of and the backward areas of Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra would be given special funds. It was the duty and responsibility of the Centre to keep its promises.

AP was facing a huge revenue deficit but the promises were not being fulfilled though two years have lapsed.When Jaitley refused to even refer to the demand, the Congress members got further agitated and tried to block the business of the House. Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M), D Raja of the CPI and JD(U)'s Sharad Yadav too lent support to the demand.

The Congress party, particularly, the APCC took up the issue outside the House too bringing about 300 leaders from the State to Delhi to demand Special Status to AP. The APCC further met the leaders of different political parties in the last two days seeking support for the same. The Congress leaders met the President on Monday.

Later speaking to the media, APCC president N Raghuveera Reddy said both the Centre and the State Government were cheating the people of Andhra by paying mere lip service to the same. The state would not progress and employment opportunities would not arise for the youth unless the Special Status was accorded, he added.