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Friday, Feb 13, 2009
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Telangana: YSR moots joint panel

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday announced constitution of a joint committee of members of Assembly and Council to deliberate issues and concerns on formation of Telangana.

Dr. Reddy made this far-reaching political announcement in the Assembly shortly before its budget session came to a close, even while declaring that “the State government has no objection to formation of Telangana State in principle” and that ‘time has come to move decisively on the matter”.

However, the committee is being formed since many issues needed to be resolved before taking any decision and as serious concerns have been raised by stakeholders, he said. Further steps could be taken after the committee submits its report, he added, ending day-long speculation over the subject of his statement.

Members of grand alliance of Telugu Desam, Telangana Rashtra Samiti, CPI (M) and CPI stormed the podium and threw papers, resenting that this was not they had expected of him. Unruffled by the din and disturbance, Dr. Reddy read out the two-page text.

The concerns elucidated by him included the demands raised for separate States of Rayalaseema and North Coastal Andhra, strong opposition by Muslims on the plea that they would not be safe in Telangana State and views of those who settled down in Hyderabad, hailing from different regions of the State.

“The question is whether Andhra Pradesh should be divided into three or four States,” he said, as the members of grand alliance shouted slogans against Dr. Reddy.

Congress members thumped desks when Dr. Reddy observed that the emotive issue of Telangana was close to his heart and the Congress.

From the beginning, the party favoured constitution of a Second States Re-organisation Commission to look into all demands for separate States. The NDA government, in contrast, rejected outright a Congress request in 1999 to form the Second SRC. Though the Pranab Mukherjee Committee strove to achieve a consensus on Telangana, it was in vain.

Lowest level

Dr. Reddy said the welfare of the people of Telangana region “is foremost in his government’s agenda”. The government had already taken a number of initiatives to address the development and growth concerns of the region.

In contrast, Telangana remained backward and neglected under the nine-year Telugu Desam regime, which took the State to its lowest level of growth.

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