Even as the Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh have been agitating for special category status to the state and AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu continues to hoodwink the people saying the special status demand is still under the consideration of Niti Ayog, the Centre has made it clear once again that there is no question of granting any special status to any state.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday dismissed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s pitch for special status for Bihar saying it was no longer relevant after the constitutional award by the 14th Finance Commission for sharing of tax resources between the Centre and the States.
“Special status ka daur samapt ho chuka hai (the era of special status in over),” Jaitley told a press conference in Delhi.
He said that the 14th Finance Commission had come up with constitutional award for States and fixed a formula for sharing of tax revenues between the Centre and the states.
This has once again put to rest the clamour for special status to Andhra Pradesh. It is now clear that the Centre will not concede any such demand, even if 100 Jagans resort to fast-unto-death.
It is better the Opposition parties stop fooling the people and fight for securing maximum package for the State.
