Andhra Pradesh is not Northeast: Govt's clear message to TDP, others seeking special status

By Team Mynation  |  First Published Jul 23, 2018, 6:49 PM IST

Otherwise, Section 94 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 provides that the Centre shall take appropriate fiscal measures, including the offer of tax incentives to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, to promote industrialisation and economic growth in both the States, the Union government says

The government today said there is no proposal to include Andhra Pradesh in the industrial development schemes currently operating in north-eastern States and Jammu and Kashmir.

"At present, there is no proposal to include Andhra Pradesh in North East Industrial Development Scheme and Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry CR Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

Chaudhary was replying to a question whether the government is considering to include Andhra Pradesh in special industrial promotion scheme being formulated by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion along with Northeast and the Himalayan States.

The minister said that Section 94 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 provides that the central government shall take appropriate fiscal measures, including the offer of tax incentives to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, to promote industrialisation and economic growth in both the States.

"In view of this, special packages to backward areas of newly formed States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana each Rs 50 crore per year are being provided since 2016-17," he added.

The minister also said that a sum of Rs 350 crore each year flows to both the States separately from a special grant to the States.

Andhra Pradesh has been demanding a special category status from the central government following the bifurcation of the State in 2014.

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