Cabinet clears Telangana formation

Hyderabad to be common capital for 10 years

Jubilation in Telangana, protests in Seemandhra

• Cabinet Note no different from CWC decision
• GoM will decide the mechanism for division of state and related issues
• The Resolution will be sent to President who will refer it to AP Assembly
• Assembly decision not binding on the Centre
• Telangana Bill likely to be readied for Winter Session

The GoM will also work out the modalities for the provision of special financial disbursements required for the setting up of a new capital for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh and to meet the special needs of the backward regions and districts of the two States

Anita Saluja

New Delhi: Bringing the curtains down on a half-a-century old demand for the separate state of Telangana, the Union Cabinet on Thursday finally set in motion the process for the creation of the 29th State of the Indian Union. As per the 10-page Telangana Note, approved by the Union Cabinet, Hyderabad, which has been a bone of contention between Telangana and Seemandhra, will go to Telangana. Hyderabad will serve as a common capital for both the states for a period of 10 years as decided by the CWC on July 30.

After the Cabinet Meeting, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde announced the setting up of a Group of Ministers (GoM) that will address the issues that need resolution at the Central and State government levels. The GoM will determine the mechanism to ensure “appropriate legal and administrative measures” for both successive states to function from the common capital of Hyderabad for 10 years. The GoM will also look into special financial assistance required by the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh to construct its new capital and the special needs of backward regions in Seemandhra.

The resolution adopted by the Cabinet stated that the Centre would take steps to safeguard the “safety and security” of the people in all the three regions and guarantee their fundamental rights. The resolution will now be sent to the President with a request to refer it to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. However, it is being maintained that the views of the AP Assembly will not be binding on the Centre, even if it is negatived. Sources stated that the GoM that has 6 weeks time will give a final shape to the Bill that has to be cleared by the Cabinet again. The Telangana Bill is likely to be readied in time for the Winter Session of Parliament.

The discussion on the Telangana issue in the Cabinet that lasted for two hours turned out to be on the expected lines, with Textile Minister K S Rao and HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju vehemently arguing the case of Seemandhra region, while Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy from the Telangana region countering them. K S Rao spoke for nearly half-an-hour, giving a detailed account on why the State should remain united. He was sometimes vociferous in his arguments, failing to understand why the government took such an “extreme” step, not waiting even for the Antony Committee report to be submitted.

Pallam Raju, while presenting his case, became “emotional,” giving a vivid account of the surcharged atmosphere in the Seemandhra region. Even his own house was not spared as the protestors staged a 48-hour dharna in front of it. He wanted the Cabinet to look at the issue in a more “sensitive” way, as he felt that the government had been partial to the Telangana region. “Both of them, however, announced that they will abide by the Cabinet decision,” stated a Cabinet Minister.

Jaipal Reddy favoured the creation of Telangana putting across the historical perspective of the agitation that preceded the decision. He was supported by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who also spoke in favour of Telangana, contrary to his approach taken yesterday when the Ordinance on convicted lawmakers was withdrawn.

Unfazed by the protests outside staged by a handful of Seemandhra students in front of the 7, Race Course Road residence of the Prime Minister were later whisked away by the Delhi Police.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the second consecutive day implemented in letter and spirit the wishes of the Congress high command by accepting in toto, the CWC resolution of July 30 on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. On Wednesday, he withdrew the controversial Ordinance as desired by Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

The issue of separate state of Telangana came up as a surprise for the Cabinet Ministers as it did not form part of the agenda that was circulated the previous night.

In fact, the decision to table the Cabinet note on the separate state was taken only last night when the Prime Minister summoned Home Minister and asked him to table it in the Cabinet. In the agenda, circulated to the ministers yesterday, there was no mention of Telangana but the sundry issues like MoU to be signed between the Narcotics Control of India and Narcotics Control of Indonesia, etc were listed.