The Union Government has indicated that the Bill to amend Article 371 of the Constitution would be moved in the monsoon session of Parliament, beginning August 8.
Karnataka has for long been demanding the amendment, which would result in the backward Hyderabad Karnataka region get special status.
Union Labour and Employment Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge told presspersons here on Saturday that Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had assured him and Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M. Veerappa Moily that the Bill would be moved during the monsoon session of Parliament.
Clarifications given
Mr. Kharge said that during a meeting of the Group of Ministers, Mr. Chidambaram discussed the issue and sought a few clarifications, which were provided.
Later, Mr. Chidambaram told both Mr. Kharge and Mr. Moily that the Bill would be placed before the Union Cabinet, and then in Parliament.
Mr. Kharge said there was consensus among all major political parties, including the BJP, on the issue and expressed confidence that the Bill would be passed by both the Houses.
Sonia, others thanked
Mr. Kharge thanked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, successive Chief Ministers of Karnataka and MPs from the State, and all organisations that had been fighting for the region being conferred the special status.
To a question, Mr. Kharge said the amendment would help in providing reservation in education and employment for people of Hyderabad Karnataka, and there would also be provisions for the economic development of the region, with special focus on infrastructure.
To another question, he said that all districts in the Gulbarga revenue division, such as Gulbarga, Yadgir, Bidar, Bellary, Raichur and Koppal, would be benefited.
