Jaitley hopes Andhra's special status issue will soon be sorted

New Delhi, Aug 8 Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday said the central government is in discussion with the state government over the demand of special status to Andhra Pradesh and hoped that the matter will soon be concluded.

"This issue has repeatedly been raised in the House. The government is fully seized with the issue," Jaitley told the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour while responding to agitating YSR Congress members over the issue.

Jaitley said: "There was an element of unfairness towards Andhra Pradesh, when the state of Telangana was created. We are committed that it will be compensated. We are fairly in an advanced stage of discussion with Andhra Pradesh government on this issue. We will shortly arrive at a conclusion."

The issue was raised by YSR Congress member M. Rajamohan Reddy during Zero Hour.

"At the time of reorganisation of the state, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured of giving special status to Andhra Pradesh, which was supported by BJP, too. Later BJP also said that the special status will be given to the state when it will come to power. But till date, this promise has not been fulfilled," Reddy said.

"How can they go back on the promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh," he said.

Earlier, the YSR Congress members protested near the Speaker's podium in support of their demand throughout Question Hour.