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.

Though State government id pressurising 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. Inspite of State’s 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.