The central government is acting indifferent towards TS in the implementation of A.P.R.A.Several provisions in the A.P.R.A. are yet to be implemented by the central government.

Besides, several contentious issues have cropped up between the two states. Periodically, many meetings with home secretary of the center and governor of the state are taking place, without making much headway. One such lackadaisical meetingwas convened by Union home secretary Anil Goswami with the chief secretaries of both AP and Telangana states, on 28thNovember. It is reported to have failed to broker anypeace, as usual.

The Telangana CS, Rajiv Sharma, raised objection over the correspondence of the AP government with the home ministry without even informing the TRS government and wanted that a copy of its complaints to the Centre be marked to TS.He also objected to the manner in which the AP government was 'diverting' to itself funds lying in the accounts of the united state and requested the Centre to ensure that Telangana's share is protected. Sharma also pointed out that the C R Kamalanathan Committee should be given more freedom so that it need not visit New Delhi for every small clarification on the employees' distribution. Referring to the waterand power row with AP, the Telangana CS requestedto ensure equitable distribution of the river water and power between the two states at the earliest.

On the other hand, the A.P. CS, apart from demanding operationalizing section 8 of A.P.R.A and coercing TS government to agree for a common schedule for the intermediate examinations had nothing tangible to complain against TS. Goswami as usual said he would take a decision after discussing the issueswith different departments.

The Section 8 of the A.P.R.A., presupposes, special responsibility to the governor for the security of life, liberty and property of all those who reside in the common capital of Hyderabad. Raising the issue, the A.P.Chief Secretaryreported to have said, that several issues related to the joint capital region require its implementation. Responding to this, Telangana chief secretary Rajiv Sharma replied that, TS government has already made known its objections to the Centre on this issue in writing and that a discussion on the section at this juncture was 'unwarranted.' Goswami once again assured them that he would seek the opinion of the law ministry on the contentious issue and asked both the state governments to abide by the decision that would be taken by the Centre in consultation with the law ministry.

When TS has submitted its objections in writing earlier the law department could have examined them and come to a decision on the matter. Though the heads of the departments were present in the meeting why the issues were not discussed in depth and amicable decisions were not taken on the issues raised by TS is not known.

Even a minor issue like Inter mediate exams was not resolved in the meeting.By the complaint of the CS of Telangana State it is quite apparent that AP was making complaints to Center without even bringing to the notice of TS, leave alone deliberating with it on them beforehand. The obvious indifference of the Centre to take these matters seriously also is quite apparent here.

Instead of providing a definite concern to the issues raised by the TS, which are more urgent and are becoming bottlenecks in the administration of the state, the home secretary treated them as routine and promised to talk to the concerned departments. On the contrary, in case of section 8 he was categorical, as if it is more germane to the context. Andpromised to refer it to Law department and asked the two states emphatically to be ready to abide by the Center’s decision.

Itsoundedominous. May be the calling of the Governor to Delhi has something to do with it.

For, implementing the section in any form now will again ignite passions and it will lead to more deteriorating situation in the relationship of the two states. There is no apparent reason to invoke it at this time except forA.P. state’s gamesmanship with TS, for its hedging relations. And create a law and order situation where in operationalization of the section or imposition of President’s rule can become probable.

Instead, Central government can take up the implementation of A.P.R.A. more seriously, to adjudicate on the contentious issues with firmness and commitment. It is the author of it and the authority to oversee its implementation.It also has a constitutional responsibility to do it impartially with an objective approach.

J R Janumpalli