The Joint Fact-Finding Committee (JFC) constituted by actor-politician Pawan Kalyan and his Jana Sena party, has demanded that the Centre must grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
The JFC said that there was 'no alternative' and also pointed out that the Centre's claims that the 14th Finance Commission had abolished the concept in its recommendations, was not true.
Accusing the Centre of going back on its word, the JFC report also pointed out that many states were presently enjoying special status, despite the government's claims.
Addressing reporters on Saturday, Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan said, “Bifurcation was a political decision and the Central government should come to the rescue of the State, which is saddled with a huge revenue deficit in its year of formation. The deficit will continue till 2020 and the Centre is yet to clear the arrears of 2014-15,” he said.
“In the first 100 days, I decided not to disturb the government, but when it started dragging its feet on it, I raised the issue at the Tirupati meeting. Before my Kakinada meeting, they made a midnight announcement of a special package, which I felt was like stale laddus and said the same. However, the TDP government welcomed it, as if those stale laddus were just good enough. However, till today, even those stale laddus were not delivered to the State,” the Jana Sena chief added.
The 20-member committee formed following a call given by Pawan Kalyan said they aimed to fight against the injustice meted out to both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, post bifurcation.
JFFC comprises 11 committee members, three advisors and six invitees. The committee members include Lok Satta Party chief Jayaprakash Narayan, former MP Undavalli Arun Kumar, Prof K Nageshwar, activist Krishnaswamy and others.
The advisors are Justice Gopal Gowda, Dr IYR Krishna Rao and Dr Padmanabhayya. The invitees include Konathala Ramakrishna (YSR Congress Party), K Ramakrishna (CPI), P Madhu (CPM), Janga Gowtham (Congress), Gidugu Rudraraju (Congress) and Chalasani Srinivas.
IANS inputs