After a lot of dilly dallying, finally the successor State of Andhra Pradesh is likely to get special category status. Parliament was told in written that the Planning Commission is contemplating to accord the special status to Seemandhra.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Planning Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said, “The grant of special category status to Andhra Pradesh is being considered by Planning Commission.” Besides special category status, we hear that Planning Commission is keen to announce financial package to ensure development in the backward areas of Seemandhra. A special cell within Planning Commission for Andhra Pradesh, constituted on March 25, 2014, is said to be working in that direction and taking necessary steps.

However, minister made it clear that then Congress government does not include any provision regarding special category status for Seemandhra in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He also said that creation of special cell for Seemandhra under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman (of the Commission) and Bundelkhand type special development package for Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra was even not part of AP Reorganization Act but the NDA government is committed to do. The previous government has orally assured special category status for 5 years and package for backward regions of Seemandhra in but nothing in written, concrete.

Inderjit Singh informed the House that the special development package to the backward areas would be worked out based on the specific proposals from Seemandhra Government after due consultations with the concerned ministries.