Will Status alone ensures Development?: Arun Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley opined AP willn't receive anything more than what was offered in the form Special Assistance Measure (SAM) even if Special Status is being accorded. 'Special Status alone can't guarantee Development...Funds matters the most. We have tried out best to do justice to AP using all the available options. No other state in the country received such benefits. Setting up few Institutions like IIM and AIIMS will take decades but works of 12 institutions were already going on AP. All of them will start functioning within the 5 years period. AP received Rs 64,000 crore in 5 years as per 13th Finance Commission recommendations. We have sanctioned Rs 2,00,600 crore to AP based on 14th Finance Commission recommendations. Apart from Finance Commission grants, AP will receive additional Rs 1 lakh crore in the form of petroleum, power and roads packages. AP could develop if all these funds were utilized properly,' he said.

Arun Jaitley mentioned AP will receive its share of 42% as per the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission. In addition, Centre will compensate the revenue deficit till 2020.

Union Cabinet will approve Special Assistance Measure (SAM) offered to AP soon.