Special Status: Jaitley Takes Shelter Under Rules!

Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley had finally responded to the short duration discussion on implementation of Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. Like as always, Jaitley using his lawyer brain diverted the issue and read about all the allocations made to the state. He as always shown the figures big, saying only about the value of the projects making no mention of allocations.

[m9ad]

Jaitley at one point went on to say that 2050 Crores were given for Capital Construction. TDP MP Sujana Chowdary objected to that saying that 1000 Crore of that 2050 Crore is given to underground drainage system in Vijayawada and Guntur. Finally, on the Special Status, he said 14th Finance Commission changed the rules of the Special Status and they will consider compensating Special Status loss in some other way.

Jaitley went on to say 14th Finance Commission Report is bound by Constitution and the government can not violate a part of the report. Finally, it can be concluded that hours of discussion on the issue and unanimous support of all the parties could not make any change in the Center’s stance.