Lok Sabha Elections In 2024, BJP became the largest party, but it did not have enough seats to form the government on its own. This is the reason why BJP is now in government with its allies. But there are two of these allies who have been demanding special state status for their states from the beginning. These two names are Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu.
Nitish Kumar has been demanding special state status for Bihar and Chandrababu Naidu for Andhra Pradesh. Let us tell you today what it means when a state gets special state status. Along with this, we will also tell you whether the common citizens of that state also benefit from getting special state status.
How is special state status given
Special Category Status is given to a backward state on the basis of its growth rate. Understand it this way that when a state is geographically, socially and economically backward, it is given special category status and is given special exemption in taxes and various types of fees. But, there is no such provision in the Constitution according to which a state can be given Special Category Status. However, in 1969, on the recommendation of the 5th Finance Commission, a provision was made to give Special Category Status to backward states.
Which states have got this status so far
The first state in the country to get special category status was Jammu and Kashmir. But after the removal of Article 370, it no longer has special category status. Apart from this, states like Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram and Telangana also have special category status.
What happens when special category status is granted
Now let us come to the main question that what does a state get when it gets special category status. Actually, when a state gets special category status, it gets more facilities in many matters as compared to other states. For example, the central government gives 90 percent of the funds to special category states to implement its schemes. Whereas other states get only 60 to 75 percent. At the same time, special category states get more concessions in many taxes including customs duty, income tax and corporate tax as compared to other states. At the same time, let us tell you, 30 percent of the gross budget of the Center goes to special category states.
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