The Joint Fact Finding Committee constituted by the Jana Sena has demanded that the Central government grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
The JFC, which had studied the status of implementation of the promises made to the State at the time of bifurcation, asserted that there was no alternative to mounting pressure on the Centre for the benefits under the special category status promised to the State. The committee lamented that though the State was assured the coveted status on the floor of Parliament, the Centre subsequently went back, on the ground that the 14th Finance Commission in its recommendations had abolished the concept.
But, the 14th Finance panel had not made any recommendation as such. The claims that NITI Ayog had not accepted the SCS would also not hold ground as a non-statutory body could not overrule the decision of the Union Cabinet. As many as 11 states continued to enjoy benefits under the SCS in spite of the Central government's claims that such category of States was no longer relevant.
Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan, who released the report of the JFC on Saturday, wondered why TDP leaders were making contradictory claims on the SCS.
“They welcome the special category status first and subsequently agree to special package, The TDP is now demanding the SCS again,” he said.
He said that if seasoned leaders like N. Chandrababu Nadu could make contrasting statements on a a crucial issue like the SCS, one could understand the plight of the people who were anxiously waiting for the Centre to announce benefits promised to the State. “Bifurcation was a political decision and the Central government should come to the rescue of the State, which is saddled with a huge revenue deficit in its year of formation. The deficit will continue till 2020 and the Centre is yet to clear the arrears of 2014-15,” he said.
The JFC recommended that the Centre meet the expenditure incurred by the State through old age pensions and PRC arrears.
Steps should be taken to bear the entire cost of the Polavaram project, including the enhanced costs of land acquisition, as the project had been accorded national status.
