The ongoing confrontation between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments over crucial fee reimbursement and other contentious issues may be echoed in the budget sessions of the two legislatures likely to commence later this month.
After the two States came into being, the Telangana and AP legislature held their sittings separately, but all eyes are on the budget sessions of AP and TS which are likely to overlap. The AP legislature will commence its sitting from August 16 while the Telangana Assembly is expected to hold session any time after August 25.
The location of two Assemblies on the same premises is causing concern for the police and the officials. Elected representatives fear that tempers could run high if the two Houses start debating issues such as fee reimbursement and the Polavaram project. “What will happen if the members of one House come and stage demonstrations provoking members of the other State?” an MLA questioned.
Provisional ordersThis apart, though the Governor had issued provisional orders allotting buildings for the legislature, camp office and residences of Chief Ministers, Ministers and elected representatives, teething troubles continue for the two governments. It was noted that as per Section 8 of the AP Reorganisation Act 2014, the Governor, after consulting the Council of Ministers of Telangana, would exercise his individual judgement as to the action to be taken.
Chambers of Ministers of two States in the Telangana Assembly building may see legislators frequenting these offices and any small issue could trigger frayed tempers. Then there is the issue of visitors who are prone to make any comment while being in the other premises, which could lead to unpleasant situations.
Legislators lament the lack of proper accommodation for them as well as the legislature party offices. Allotment of office chambers to the presiding officers and political officers led to a controversy between the AP and TS legislature secretariat.
The Chairman of Telangana Council operates from a small chamber in the Jubilee Hall, converted into the Upper House. Telangana Ministers, legislature parties and leader of Opposition in the Council do not have offices.
A meeting of the Speakers of the two States in June did not make much headway. Both sides wanted the respective legislatures to be located in separate places. “When the different blocks in erstwhile Secretariat were distributed without any fuss and adequate security infrastructure was put in place, why was the same yardstick not applied to the legislature,” an MLA questioned the authorities.
