The wait for people of Telangana to get a new State could prolong as the Union government has decided not to bring bill for division of Andhra Pradesh in the monsoon session of Parliament beginning August 5.
“I do not think it [bill for creation of Telangana] will come so soon [in monsoon session]. May be, by next session,” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told journalists on Thursday.
Mr. Shinde, however, said the government would try and complete all formalities for creation of a new State within six months. “Usually, it [creation of new state] takes eight to nine months. But, we will try to do at the earliest — may be five-and-half months to six months…may be earlier than that.”
Notably, the BJP has demanded that the bill be placed in the monsoon session.
Mr. Shinde said the Centre was not bypassing normal route for creating a new State, where usually the respective State Assembly passed a resolution on the issue. In the case of Telangana, though the Andhra Pradesh Assembly did not pass a resolution for the creation of Telangana State, it did discuss the matter. “We will discuss and move forward according to the Constitution.”
Hyderabad issue
On Hyderabad being the joint capital of both States for 10 years as approved by the Congress Working Committee, he said the Union Cabinet would take a decision on it when it discussed Telangana.
Similarly, the issue of adding new districts to the earlier proposed Telangana region or merger of other districts to create Rayala-Telangana would also be looked upon. “The party has given the direction to the government. The CWC has passed a resolution. Further procedure will be done according to the Constitution…We have to follow the procedure.”
On protests and unrest in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions against the division of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Shinde said he was aware of the developments regarding resignation by some Congress MLAs, but the party had taken a decision on creating a new State and would go ahead with it. The Telangana issue was first raised in 1951 and it was the oldest demand for separate State. “People can agitate, but that should be peaceful. There is consensus on Telangana. When I had discussed the issue, only two political parties opposed it.”
On the process for formation of new State, he said the Home Ministry would send a note to the Cabinet for creation of Telangana; and after the Cabinet’s nod, a Group of Ministers would be formed and it would give recommendations for the State Reorganisation draft bill. After the draft bill was cleared by the Cabinet, it would go to the President who may then refer it to the State legislature. After getting the consent of the State, the bill would be tabled in both Houses of Parliament for approval. Once it was approved, new State would come into existence.
