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In a significant development, Telangana’s Roads and Buildings Minister, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, has voiced support for granting Special Category Status (SCS) to the neighboring Telugu state of Andhra Pradesh. Reddy expressed this stance following a meeting with representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status Porata Samithi in the national capital on Tuesday.
Addressing reporters, the Congress minister pledged to exert efforts in persuading the central government to bestow Special Category Status upon Andhra Pradesh. He recalled the commitment made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had assured the Telugu state of this status. Singh had expressed hope that his successor, current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would uphold the UPA government’s commitment to Andhra Pradesh.
Expressing disappointment, Minister Komatireddy emphasized that the Centre has not fulfilled its promise, stating that it is now the responsibility of the Modi government to honor the commitment made to Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh has been advocating for Special Category Status, highlighting the significant loss of revenue the state incurred after Hyderabad, the capital of undivided Andhra Pradesh, was allocated to Telangana following the state’s bifurcation on June 2, 2014. The renewed push for SCS reflects the ongoing socio-economic challenges faced by Andhra Pradesh.
