The idea of having Hyderabad as the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for 10 years appears to have been accepted by most people, even though the city of pearls has seen political contestations from both sides.
Promisingly, there have been no incidents of violence and neither has there been a flight of capital from the city, migration of entrepreneurs, or distress sale of land and buildings.
Even the film industry, dominated by Seemandhrites, continues to be entrenched in Hyderabad. It is likely to remain there, being the base for major film production centres such as the Ramoji Film City and other studios. Any stagnation in real estate has been from the general slowdown in the economy and not as a result of bifurcation blues.
The only area of dispute is at the governmental level. From the division of the premises of the Secretariat and public sector institutions to the High Court, the sharing of IAS and IPS officers, irrigation, power, common entrance tests to engineering and medical colleges, Governor’s role, and maintenance of law and order — every issue of administration is a bone of contention.
Even the allocation of all-India service officers has been delayed, despite the Centre appointing a five-member Pratyush Sinha Committee to examine the issue.
TRS bandhThe Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) called for a State-wide bandh when the Centre promulgated an ordinance transferring villages in seven mandals of Khammam district to Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana government also dismissed the Centre’s suggestion to form a joint force with the police of both States to maintain law and order in the joint capital. The Centre cited the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, granting special powers to the Governor for law and order, but the TRS government contested it, saying it was a State subject.
As for the division of the State’s assets and liabilities between the two successor States, the Comptroller and Auditor General figures say that public sector units in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh have invested Rs. 64,426 crore and employ 2.58 lakh people. On May 29, 2014, the Governor asked all these units to expedite demergers.
An expert committee headed by retired IAS officer Sheila Bhide was appointed. However, only one of the 89 units has been formally demerged so far.
Other disputes also rage. For instance, the two States are in legal battle over funds utilisation. They have also held separate entrance examinations for the engineering and medical colleges.
Nevertheless, there are ample indications that Hyderabad will continue as joint capital for a while. Recently, the Budget sessions of both State Assemblies were held simultaneously and without incident.
