The Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh, which has virtually given up hope on securing special category status to the state from the Centre, has now found a ray of hope.
A couple of days ago, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar told a news channel that it was seriously considering the demand for granting special category status to Bihar, as the state was lagging behind in certain parametres.
“Though Bihar made rapid progress in several sectors, it’s foundation is still weak as a result of which it has not been able to catch up with other states in certain areas. It has made a request for granting special category status and we are seriously examining the report submitted by the state government,” Rajiv Kumar said.
The NITI Aayog chairman’s statement is quite contrary to the stand taken by the Centre all these years that the special category status is a closed chapter and no state would be given any such status as per the recommendations of the 14th finance commission.
Though the Modi government granted extension of special category status to certain hill status, it has refused to entertain the request of Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, a couple of other states like Jharkhand and Odisha also requested for special status, but there was no response from the Centre.
The Jagan government has been making repeated representations to the Centre on special category status to AP, but every time, the response from the state has been the same.
Now that NITI Aayog itself has announced that it would consider the demand for Bihar, it has given some hope to the Jagan government as well.
It can also put forth a request once again to consider the special status to AP and if Bihar is given the status, the Centre cannot ignore AP’s demand.
It will also help Jagan to score a point over the Telugu Desam Party, which has failed to secure the status to AP and lost the elections in 2019. Recently, Naidu challenged Jagan to secure the special category status to AP or force his party MPs to quit the posts.
Even if the Centre makes an announcement that it will consider the special category status demand of AP, it will be a major plus point for Jagan!
