The Planning Commission of India clarified that residual Andhra Pradesh i.e, Seemandhra cannot be accorded Special Status under the current norms. Press Trust of India [PTI] also carried the same story and asserted that AP is not eligible to get special status. “Andhra Pradesh doesn't meet National Development Criteria [Special Category State] and so can't be alloted Special status,” said Commission in its presentation to the Planning Minister Inderjit Singh Rao.

But the Planning Commission said Special status could be granted to Seemandhra if a proposal by National Development Council [NDC] headed by Prime Ministers is endorsed.

For any region or state to get special status, it should have the following criteria - hilly and difficult terrain; low population density and or sizeable share of tribal population; strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries; economic and infrastructure backwardness and non-viable nature of state finances. The Planning Commission opined that Andhra Pradesh doesn't fit in this criteria.

30 per cent of the total Central government's funds is earmarked for Special Category States. The Commission informed that Rajasthan, Odisha and Jharkhand are eligible for this special category status and currently 11 states are under Special status.

Bihar and Telangana states too are demanding this status however, the Commission ignored the proposals.

(AW: Vamshi)