Government convenes all-party meeting on Telangana

An all-party meeting will be held next week to discuss various issues concerning the creation of separate Telangana, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today. The meeting is likely to be held before the November 7 meeting of the Group of Ministers, constituted to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he said. Talking to reporters, he said, The meeting will discuss various provisions of the terms of reference of the GoM and give suggestions.

The GoM, which has met twice, has already held discussions regarding the sharing of river waters, power, distribution of assets and demarcation of boundaries. Headed by the Home Minister, the ministerial panel has also discussed the approach and methodology to be adopted by it. According to the mandate, the GoM will seek opinions of stakeholders on all important issues while formulating its recommendations to the Union Cabinet. The terms of reference for the GoM are to determine the boundaries of the new state and the residuary state with reference to electoral constituencies, judicial and statutory bodies, and other administrative units. It will also look into the legal and administrative measures required to ensure that both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments can function efficiently from Hyderabad as their common capital for 10 years. The panel will take into account the legal, financial and administrative measures that may be required for the transition to a new capital by the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.
The GoM will examine the special needs of backward regions and districts of both the states and recommend measures and deal with issues relating to law and order, safety and security of all residents and ensure peace and harmony in all regions and districts consequent to the formation of Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. The GoM will also look into long-term internal security implications arising out of the move and make suitable recommendations. It will look into the sharing of river water, irrigation resources and other natural resources (especially coal, water, oil and gas) between the two states and also inter-se with other states, including the declaration of Polavaram irrigation project as a national project. The Centre has already constituted a high-level committee headed by former CRPF chief K Vijay Kumar to look at the division of assets and the administrative framework which would be required when Telangana is created upon bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The committee, which is currently visiting Hyderabad, has been interacting with professionals, state government officials and government bodies before preparing its report. Secretaries of ministries of Power, Water Resources, Finance, Planning Commission, DoPT etc are also preparing individual report to be submitted to the GoM. The secretaries are finalising the report with consultations with secretaries of departments concerned of Andhra Pradesh and submit the report to the GoM by November 5. The secretaries will also suggest ways for division of assets and give several options. The Secretary of the Ministry of Finance is also expected to submit a report on a draft package to be announced for the Seemandhra region.