(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate new guidelines/criteria for according special category status to State;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the same is likely to be finalized?
(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate new guidelines/criteria for according special category status to State;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the same is likely to be finalized?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) to (c) : Special Category Status for plan assistance has been granted in the past by the National Development Council (NDC) to some States that are characterized by a number of features necessitating special consideration. These features include:
(i) hilly and difficult terrain,
(ii) low population density and / or sizeable share of tribal population,
(iii) strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries,
(iv) economic and infrastructural backwardness and
(v) non-viable nature of state finances.
At present there is no proposal to consider revision in the criteria to accord special category status to States.