No special status for Andhra Pradesh : Centre

AMARAVATI : The Centre on Monday reiterated that according special status to Andhra Pradesh was not possible.The issue of special status was brought up yet again on Monday at the winter session in Rajyasabha.

However, the centre had clarified that there was no likelihood of providing Andhra Pradesh with special status since the centre had already given the state a Special package.

In response to a question, Union Planning Minister Rao Indrajit Singh stated that the National Development Council granted special status to some states for a variety of reasons and special circumstances. However, the 14th Finance Commission made no changes to the tax distribution between general category states and special status states.

Union Minister Indrajit Singh also mentioned that Andhra Pradesh had already received a special package to compensate for the effects of the state's bifurcation, and that no further concessions or special status were being considered by the Centre.

He also noted that, in accordance with the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, the central government increased the share of taxes paid by states from 32 percent to 42 percent between 2015 and 2020. The 15th Finance Commission had also recommended a tax share of 41 percent.

Union Minister Indrajit Singh responded in writing that revenue deficit grants were being provided to states with resource deficits even after funds were distributed.