(a) the criteria laid down for according special status to a State;
(b) whether the Government proposes to accord special Status to Madhya Pradesh as has
been done in the case of Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Orissa,
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reason therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN)
(a): `Special category status` has been accorded to some States on the basis of a set of
criteria which include: having a strategic location on the border with neighbouring
countries, hilly terrain, inadequate economic and social infrastructure, predominantly
large tribal population and limited & weak resource-base as compared to development
needs.
(b): No sir. Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh have been accorded special category
status because they satisfy all the criteria indicated at (a) above. Orissa State has not
been accorded `special category status`.
(c): Does not arise.
(d): Madhya Pradesh does not satisfy all the criteria indicated in (a) above.