Centre committed to development of Andhra: Jaitley

Stressing that it was "committed" to the development of Andhra Pradesh, the Centre today said that it was examining the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission which has not made a distinction between special and general category states.
Andhra Pradesh has been demanding for special category status to the state that was bifurcated last year, creating Telangana state.
"We are examining the entire issue of special category status in the light of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations, which did not make a distinction between the special and general category states," said a press release from Andhra Pradesh Information Centre, issued after senior TDP leader and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y S Chowdary met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley here.

"We will take a decision in this matter in the near future as we are committed to fulfilling the commitments of the AP Reorganisation Act and assurances of the Prime Minister," the release added.
The statement further said that the Centre has released Rs. 8310 crores to Andhra Pradesh during the last two months, which includes assistance for a new capital city development and seven backward districts.