Fearful that the splitting of Andhra Pradesh could create a cascading effect on other states, the UPA-II government is considering the creation of a Telangana Territorial Administration on the lines of Gorkhaland.
Informed sources pointed out that if that was the case, the Centre had to further amend Article 371 (D), which has already provided a special status for 10 backward districts of the Telangana region, and this could be done with the approval of two-thirds of Parliament strength.
The Centre may announce its decision on Telangana earlier than the January 28 deadline set by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde as he is scheduled to leave on a tour of Bangladesh on January 27. Without saying yes or no for Telangana, a middle path, such as the Gorkhaland model, might help the Centre as well as the Andhra Pradesh government buy peace in both the Telangana and Seemandhra regions of the State, and the Union government could qualify the decision stating that it would be on an experimental basis, the sources added.
Like Gorkhaland, the Telangana Territorial Administration, which could be formed without bifurcating Andhra Pradesh, might be an autonomous body with more financial and administrative powers and will be administered by an elected chief executive and members of the council.
By considering the Gorkhaland model for Andhra Pradesh, the Centre may unwittingly be able to douse the Gorkhaland demand. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in West Bengal has already warned the Centre of renewing its stir for a separate State. And the Centre believes that a separate state for Telangana may only add strength to the Gorkhaland agitation.
It may be recalled that the committee set up by the Centre to examine the demand for Telangana, headed by the former Supreme Court judge, Justice B.N. Srikrishna, had in its recommendations suggested that its sixth option “stands out as the best way forward” keeping the national perspective in mind.
The sixth option talks about keeping the State (Andhra Pradesh) united by simultaneously providing certain definite constitutional/statutory measures for the socio-economic development and political empowerment of the Telangana region — creation of a statutorily-empowered Telangana Regional Council.
“The united Andhra option is being suggested for continuing the development momentum of the three regions and keeping in mind the national perspective. With firm political and administrative management it should be possible to convey conviction to the people that this option would be in the best interest of all and would provide satisfaction to the maximum number of the people in the State.”
“It would also take care of the uncertainty over the future of Hyderabad as a bustling, educational, industrial and IT hub/destination. For management of water and irrigation resources on an equitable basis, a technical body, i.e., Water Management Board and an Irrigation Project Development Corporation in expanded role have been recommended. The above course of action should meet all the issues raised by Telangana people satisfactorily,” the Committee said in its report.
Of the 294 Assembly segments in Andhra Pradesh, 119 are located in the 10 districts of the Telangana region. Of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the State, 17 are in the T-region.
Meanwhile, talking to The Hindu, Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, additional in charge of the Congress in Andhra Pradesh, said nothing on the separate State issue had been decided so far. “I told this clearly to a delegation of Congress Ministers, MPs and MLAs from the Seemandhra region when they met me demanding continuation of a united Andhra Pradesh. Similarly I am willing to meet the group from the Telangana regions too on Tuesday,” he said.
Seemandhra leaders led by Minister Shailajanath also called on senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde asking them not to divide A.P. at any cost.
Keywords: Telangana issue, UPA government, Telangana Territorial Administration, Gorkhaland model, separate State demand
congress should stop wasting its time and go ahead with the decision of a separate state of telagana ,with hyderabad as it's capital soon
keeping Ap State standstill will be right choice which will protect indians integrity and stop aggitations all over india.
Right choice is giving special packages to Telangana.
The government should never think about dividing the state..The telengana statehood is never preferred by people of telengana and it is only induced by selfish politicians in telengana...All telugu speaking people have to be in one state and this is also a feeling of native telengana people.
As above article says 371(d) already been made for Telanagana along
time back. That is been implemented and VIOLATED by GOVT itself. Also
there were many such GOs like 610 from state govt which gives some
spacial administration or reservation of jobs for local regions been
never implemented, all are violated. Now the issue is not for the
package or development, its is turned up as Existence of Telanganite.
if congress does this blunder mistake again, its completely insulting
a people's movement which is ongoing since 60 Years. People should
know about the Telangana movement is not political one but its from
the people. And one should know its been accepted by ALL parties
except a small communist party and Congress did not said any
opinion(they don't have one :-)). This shows up that parties has to
listen to the public.
The Gorkhaland model solution Will not work for Telangana, and these kind of solutions were framed like Mulki Rules,Gentlemen agreement , Telangana Independent boards and very much violated by past and existing Andhra rulers and eventually they have been removed with people consent. There much separation already have came and prevailed among Telangana and Andhra people and in-fact both regions are not alike in terms of cultural, social and lively hood. The best way is form Telangana state formation ( which is 60 years old demand of Telangana people) early before both side people emotions and Patience is burst out. The non formation of Telangana is vested interest of some some business tycoons and Seemandra Politicans.
Center looks like it has decided to give Telangana. Otherwise why would it initiate the whole process of all party meet and setting 1 month deadline for its decision. From this point, it would be suicidal for congress in Telangana if it goes back on its promise. We like it or not, congress is looking at the bottomline - number of MPs by giving Telangana(16). If no Telangana, then congress will definitely lose all these 16. MP number vise, the decision will probably not have much impact on Andhra-Seema region. Also, Jagan will have no choice but to support UPA in center in 2014.
keeping the national perspective in mind,the sixth option of Sri
Krishna committees of keeping the State (Andhra Pradesh) united by
simultaneously providing certain definite constitutional/statutory
measures for the socio-economic development and political empowerment
of the Telangana and also developing the other backward regions like
North Andhra,Rayalaseema of the state — by creating statutorily-
empowered Regional Councils is welcome.Interstate water disputes have
become a major problem.Growth of one city/region concept shall be
discontinued and government and elected representatives should take
initiatives to develop their regions.This is missing in entire
AP.Warangal is well connected to Hyderabad by road and rail and has
got excellent talent pool.But, surprisingly it was not
developed.Augmentation of water resources,rain water harvesting and
other measures be taken to save every drop of water.Emotions should
take back seat and every person shall contribute to the nation.
It seems a good solution.The centre should convince T-leaders with this
view.
Congress is ruining itself electorally by making such ridiculous and
out of box ideas for telangana.Even if congress succumbs under
pressure of Seemandhra leaders and keeps the state united there is
nothing that it will gain politically as Jagan wave is likely to sweep
seemandhra and Naidu will take the second position.It will be washout
for congress anyway in seemandhra.But should it concede Telangana
there is every possibility of congress-TRS alalince sweeping the
region.I am from costal district of Guntur and here congress will
struggle to win even 2 seats.Congress should grant telangana as any
political party has right to think of its future.Moreover if there is
any delay communal BJP will make deep inroads at cost of congress and
TRS
Seems to be a practical solution that can address the concern of both the parties. Given the current corruption scenario the politicians need to ensure that the funds and benefits reach the intended people and not pilfered en route. Only then will the govt be able to do some good work for the poor. The fight seems only for Hyderabad and a solution as this must go a long way in ensuring peace for the Hyderabadis. The lack of concern for the people from these politicians is appaling to the core. For a vested interests of a few the politicians are creating a big ruckus and making a mountain out of nothing. This kind of an amicable solution must be accepted by all concerned and support must be garnered towards working for the betterment of the people in the state. Splitting the state aint gonna make life better - a transparent and conducive rule aimed at all round development alone can address the needs and aspirations of the people.
I don't think this solution could work because above stated option
already been exercised and violated grossly, therefore it is also cant
possible in view of UPA doesn't have required numbers in the Parliament
to amend the Constitution. the has to be taken has the Congress promised
in 2004 and 2009 elections but it lacks the political will to implement
it. one has to hope that Union government would come the decision on
Telangana..
Government is sitting on a bed of burning problems like Telangana and such other problems forcing the Nation to go bankrupt. Solution is a must sooner than later otherwise every Indian has to pay for it. Government is sitting pretty for such explosive problems.
These politicians want just power without considering what will happen to people and state.
Sounds like most practical solution..hope the announcement comes soon and removes
longtime uncertainty for Andhra.
Our politicians are all selfish. Even creating a separate Telengana
will not solve it's problems. Corruption will just increase and a city
like Hyderabad may see an exodus by MNCs to other states. The
selfish Ministers may make too many demands on MNCs who
would prefer to go to other states. Then the dream of students
about getting jobs will be shattered. Unless corruption is rooted
out the division into smaller states will not prove to be helpful.
The aam admi has no great desire for a seperate Telengana as he
will continue to live in poverty and live with the liquor bottle.
The best solution is to put AP under President's rule for some
time till the politicians forget about a seperate state.
The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration model for Telangana will be
the way to go as the Politicians in AP are completely divided in the
middle with one wanting Telangana and the other half of them from
Coastal and Rayalaseema not wanting it.In Such a situation this might be
the only way out - have the cake and eat it too..
Not sure what the source for this news article is or how authentic and reliable or how high this source is in the decision making process, it is hard to believe that the Center would want to propose something that requires two-thirds of Parliament strength when it barely survives and strives for simple majority on a daily basis on various issues. We all have seen the political posturing during FDI voting.
For this to fly it not only needs to convince BJP and other parties to bat for the solution, it needs to convince the Telangana people at large. A far fetched scenario indeed. Then again Congress has let this issue burn for more than a decade now. I would be very much doubt if it musters the required two-thirds of Parliament strength. If Congress/UPA understands that, why would it venture to propose a solution that no one in Telangana likes it in the first place?
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