Centre declines deadline for special status to H-K

Despite continual pressure from the State government on the Centre to grant special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, it has declined to set a deadline to fulfill the State’s long-standing demand.

Though the State has made several representations to the Union Home Ministry demanding special status to the backward districts of north Karnataka including Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Bellary by amending Article 371, the Centre still seems to be studying the representation.

However, it is learnt that Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has agreed to extend a few benefits to the backward regions of the State. Although, the Union government is against granting special status, it is keen on extending a special package, sources in the Ministry said. However, no deadline has been set.