Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has declined to interfere in the matter of granting special category status to the state, observing that such decisions fall under the administrative prerogative of the state and central governments.
A division bench, comprising Justice G. Narendar and Justice T. Chandra Dhana Sekhar, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Praja Shanti Party president K.A. Paul. The petitioner sought a directive to the Central Government to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh, citing an earlier assurance made on the floor of Parliament.
K.A. Paul argued that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has claimed the state treasury is empty and heavily burdened by debts. He stressed that special category status would attract investments, generate employment, and boost the state’s income. The court, however, noted that government borrowings are a common phenomenon to address financial needs and questioned what was improper about such measures. Deputy Solicitor General P. Ponna Rao countered the petitioner’s claims, stating that the assurance of special status was oral and lacked any formal documentation or written commitment in Parliament.
The court directed K.A. Paul to file a Right to Information (RTI) application to obtain more details on the matter. It also instructed him to submit an affidavit explaining who would be affected and how if the special status is not granted. The bench scheduled the next hearing for December 11.
