GoM finalises report

Ministers’ report & T Bill unlikely to come up before Cabinet today

• Authorises Shinde to fine-tune recommendations
• He does not rule out another meeting today, though Jairam Ramesh says GoM has concluded its work
• Kapil Sibal has not seen the draft Bill as yet
• Picture is not yet clear on status of Hyd
• Certain functions could be handed over to Governor
• Article 371-D could be continued in both states: Digvijay
• GoM report to get Sonia clearance before sending to Cabinet

New Delhi: The issue of Telangana has entered a decisive stage with the GoM concluding its report and authorising Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to take a final call on it. Sources stated that most of the issues have been resolved that includes revenue sharing, power and water distribution. The Finance, Power, Water and DoPT officials made their presentations before the GoM for the last time. Task Force Chief Vijay Kumar once again gave his presentation before the Committee. It was revealed that the law& order situation was discussed at great length, where Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary P K Mohanty was also called in. He, earlier held consultations with Finance Ministry officials, ahead of the GoM meeting.

Talking to the Hans India, Shinde did not rule out an informal meeting on Thursday if the need arose. He replied in the negative when asked whether the report will come to the Cabinet on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal confided that he has not seen the draft Bill so far. The GoM report along with the Bill may not, therefore, come to the Cabinet that is slated to meet at 5 pm, though going by the fast-track mode of the UPA government, the possibility of the report being tabled at the last moment is not completely ruled out. Given the sensitive nature of the issue that involves the sentiments of both the regions, the Cabinet Ministers preferred to maintain silence. Interestingly, much after the GoM meeting, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh stayed put in the Home Ministry, giving final shape to the report. Except the Home Minister, all the Ministers in the GoM remained tight-lipped. “We have authorised Home Minister Shinde to take the final call,” stated Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily. When the question was posed to the Home Minister by the media persons, whether or not there will be a couple of more meetings, he replied jocularly, “Will you be satisfied if we have 10 more meetings.”

Jairam Ramesh, who was the last one to leave the North Block, stated that the GoM has concluded its work and it was for the Home Minister to give the final touches to its recommendations before taking it to the Cabinet.

Sources stated that on the issue of Hyderabad, the Home Ministry has to take a call on the administration of a common capital. An official pointed out that there is no such thing as a common capital. Either it should be made a Union Territory during the period it serves as joint capital, or it should be under the control of the Telangana government. The Home Ministry will now be seeking political clearance on the mechanism where certain functions could be handed over to the Governor.

AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh hinted that an appropriate law could be framed if it becomes necessary. As regards Article 371-D, the GoM is inclined to continue it in both the states, avoiding any amendment to the Constitution. The report after getting the political clearance from Congress president Sonia Gandhi will go to the Cabinet along with the Draft Telangana Bill. It can happen either tomorrow or in the next Cabinet meeting. After it is approved, the Bill will be forwarded to the President who in turn will refer it to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for its comments and opinion. After the Bill comes back, it will be taken to Parliament. The government is keen to pass the Bill in the Winter Session of Parliament that concludes on December 20. If need be, the Centre will extend the session further or may consider convening a special session for the purpose.