Bill on Telangana with president, says Shinde

New Delhi: The bill for formation of new state of Telangana by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh is with President Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Tuesday. Answering queries from reporters here, Shinde said he had sent the bill to the president through the prime minister.

"The bill is with the President of India," he said. Explaining the procedure, Shinde said that the views of state assembly will be taken on the bill, after which it will come to the home ministry. He said the ministry will move the cabinet along with its recommendations.

"It will finally go to parliament," he said. Shinde said he did not know how much time will be given by the president to get views of the state assembly. He said the Congress announced creation of Telangana in its manifesto for 2004 elections and a decision to form the state was taken in 2009.

Shinde said the law permits the central government to divide a state in the absence of resolution by a state assembly. However, he added that the bill was being sent to the Andhra Pradesh assembly for its consideration.

Shinde did not give a firm answer if the bill will be passed in the winter session of parliament that began Dec 5. "Let us see. Let us complete work in this session," he said.