NEWS

Chief Minister has sought the NITI Aayog’s assistance in getting special status for Andhra Pradesh

DETAILS

• Special Status and Special category status are both different
• Special Status
  • Is guaranteed by the Constitution through an Act that has to be passed by 2/3rds majority in both the houses of Parliament.
  • Empowers legislative and political rights while Special Category Status deals only with economic, administrative and financial aspects.

MAHITI FOR PRELIMS

SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS

• First introduced in 1969 when the 5th Finance Commission sought to provide certain deprived states with preferential treatment in the form of central assistance and tax breaks
• Granted by the Niti Aayog
• Criterion
  • Hilly and difficult terrain
  • Low population density
  • Presence of a sizeable tribal population
  • Strategic location along international borders
  • Economic and infrastructural backwardness
  • Non-viable nature of state finances