GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PLANNING

LOK SABHA

UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 2226

ANSWERED ON: 0.03.2011

SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS STATES 

(a) the names of States which have been granted Special Category Status during the last three years; 

(b) the conditions/norms on the basis of which the said status has been granted; 

(c) whether the demand for grant of special status to Bihar and Raasthan is still pending for decision; and 

(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the time by which the Government proposes to consider and grant special status to Bihar and Raasthan?

ANSWER

 MINISTER OF STATE FOR PLANNING, PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES(DR. ASHWANI KUMAR) 

 (a): During the last three years, no state has been granted Special Category Status. 

 (b): The Special Category State(SCS) status for allocation of Central Assistance to State Plan has generally been accorded in the past to States that have been characteried by a number of features necessitating special consideration. These features include:

(i) hilly and difficult terrain,

(ii) low population density and/or sieable 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. The decision to grant Special Category Status to any state is taken by the National Development Council, which is the sole body competent to do so. 

(c) & (d): The State Government of Raasthan had made a request for grant of Special Status to