PM opens up first time on Special Status for AP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced good news for Andhra Pradesh that the Centre had received a report on the Special Status for the State following the split of the combined State. The Special Status report was received from the NITI Ayog (planning body) and the Finance Department was studying the report, he told Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu when they met at the PMO. The current exercise was how to implement the Special Status, because the constitutional facility required the presence of majority tribal people in a State. While the Congress cut the Gordion knot of the combined State by steamrolling the AP Reorganisation Bill through Parliament, it had left the burden of Special Status implementation to the upcoming government. While the ruling TDP in AP is part of the BJP-led NDA, uncertainties over the implementation of the Special Status had dejected the people of the State, who have lost capital and have to rebuild their State from the scratch, although Coastal Andhra had virtually fed India before the Green Revolution and nurtured parties such as the Congress and the communists with their rich agricultural produce of `Nellore rice' and `Guntur tobacco.' Against this background, the Prime Minister's assurance to the Chief Minister should gladden all the Andhras, who have been somewhat diffident since the split. The Prime Minister further said: "We'll support Andhra Pradesh by every means. There will be no neglect. The promises made to the State at the time of foundation of Amaravati capital city shall be adhered to. All the promises will be implemented in toto. Special Status for AP, Special Package for the State shall be worked out." With these assurances, the Chief Minister's Delhi visit had yielded results for the first time. During all the previous visits, the Prime Minister appeared tongue tied on the Special Status. Better late than never, the Prime Minister had for the first time opened up on Special Status. Besides, he had assured AP that the people could hear the Good News on Special Status shortly.
