No State Will Get ‘Special Status’

Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharamana reiterated that the ‘Special Category Status’ is a done and dusted topic. Nirmala was in Bhubaneswar for the GST Council meeting and there was a demand from the Odisha government for ‘Special Status’ because the state was frequently hit by natural calamities causing financial stress.

“The 14th Finance Commission clearly suggested that the ‘Special Status’ is not feasible and this demand will not be considered anymore and so no state will get ‘Special Status’ hereafter,” said Nirmala Sitharaman.

Not just Odisha, even Bihar is demanding ‘Special Status’ while Andhra Pradesh has to rightfully get this despite being promised in the Parliament. Previous TDP and current YCP governments have made numerous attempts for ‘Special Status’ but in vain.

In the just concluded Parliament budget sessions, YCP MP Vijayasai Reddy raked up ‘Special Status’ to AP but the government of India replied that it is implementing ‘Special Package’ instead of ‘Special Status’ and ruled out the possibility of the latter demand.

With the Finance Minister’s clarification, we must assume that AP will not get ‘Special Status’ come what may be the circumstances of the state.