AP
was divided for naked politics. A huge decision like that was taken in a
tearing hurry with absolutely no preparation and planning. The irony is,
congress party at the center was sustained for decades by unrelenting support
from AP people. In return, they were brutally betrayed by the congress party.
For decades, Hyderabad was developed in the name
of all people of AP while neglecting all other regions, cities and towns of AP.
Hence most of the state's revenues were from that one city. As Hyderabad went
to Telangana, AP became a poor state overnight. At some level, people of AP
deserve this fate for supporting congress party for so long. At the same time,
you can't help but feel pity for their plight.
Now enters BJP in 2014. BJP has no foothold in
AP, so it has nothing to gain politically from helping people of AP.
Ironically, BJP has a bit of base in Telangana, so they seem to be more
inclined towards showering Telangana with more central funds while leaving
people of AP high and dry. So, congress party stuck a knife in the back of AP
and BJP is twisting it.
In the end, people of AP are in a difficult
position. Rendered poor overnight and abandoned by the Center. The dominant
state political parties (Telugu Desam and YSRCP) are corrupt to the core. It
pains me to say this, but AP today is at the same level of Chathisgarh, but
without the latter's natural resources. AP will remain a laggard state for a
long time to come.
Benefits does a Special Category
State get:
In 1969, the Fifth
Finance Commission proposed Special Category States based on recommendations
made by the National Development Council. The idea was to give preferential
treatment to certain states that were deemed disadvantaged, by allocating more
central funds and tax concessions. The criteria for granting special status
were 1) a lot of hilly terrain 2) economic and social backwardness and lack of
infrastructure 3) a large tribal population 4) international borders 5)
non-viable nature of finances.
Andhra Pradesh should
need special status and satisfies the above criteria.
Special category
status states would get 30% of the normal central assistance; with the
remaining 70% being split among other states based on their population, per
capita income, and fiscal performance. Special Category states would also get
concessions in income-tax rates, excise and Customs duties. Additional funds
for centrally-sponsored schemes and special projects could also be granted,
with the Centre bearing 90% of the cost. External aid was also devolved in the
same ratio as received by the Centre.
AP was cheated for no reasons:
Granting Special Category State status
is not mentioned in the AP Reorganization Act, 2014, and therefore, it is not
mandatory for the Centre to grant that status to AP. However, when the AP
Reorganization Bill, 2014, was tabled in Parliament for discussion, Manmohan
Singh gave an assurance to MPs and people of AP that the successor state of AP
would be granted Special Category status.
Venkaiah
Naidu, The one who demanded special status for 10 years during bifurcation
discussion in parliament, has changed his words and stated that Special status
is not a solution, this turn of Venkaiah looks odd. He has been doing
wrong on AP Special Status, I requested him to fight with the center. He should
remember that he is Telugu person rather a union minister.
Things changed with the Congress
losing power. The NDA government has cold-shouldered requests of Andhra MPs for
Special Category status, and told CM Naidu that the provision to grant SCS
status no longer exists.
After bifurcation, AP
has lost quality educational centers but nobody has talked about this.
The special
category status will surely attract industries and investors. So that opportunities will increase to some
extent and thereby unemployment rate will automatically reduce.
So, I’m requesting and suggesting the people
of A.P to fight for special status. If you want a bright future and growth,
special status is must as per current situation. Forget about political
parties, they shown what they are..! I know without politics nothing will come
into exist. So support the party who is supporting and fighting for special
status. -R@jiv
