GoM on Telangana to meet 8 political parties on Nov 12, 13

New Delhi, The GoM, set up to look into the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, will meet eight political parties likely on November 12 and 13 to discuss various issues concerning the creation of separate Telangana.

Congress, BJP, Telugu Desam Party, CPI, CPI(M), Telangana Rashtra Samiti, YSR Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen will be called separately to meet the high-powered ministerial panel and let it know their views on the process of the division of Andhra Pradesh, assets, river water besides other related issues, official sources said.

The Home Ministry has already sent the terms of reference of the GoM to the eight parties and is waiting for their responses. YSR Congress and TDP, which are opposed to the process, are unlikely to send their response to the GoM, headed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has received a number of detailed reports, department-wise, on how to go about with the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the way forward. As directed by the GoM, a number of ministries have already submitted their reports.

The remaining few are expected to submit their reports today or latest by tomorrow, a senior Home Ministry official said. Those ministries which were asked to prepare the reports include Waster Resources, Road Transport, Finance, HRD and Personnel. The reports, prepared in consultations with state government departments concerned, will be submitted to the GoM for its consideration in its November 7 meeting.

The ministerial panel had detailed discussions over sharing of river water, power, distribution of assets and demarcating of boundaries in its two meetings held last month.  The GoM will also look into the legal and administrative measures required to ensure that both Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh can function efficiently from Hyderabad as the common capital for 10 years.

After its first meeting on October 11, the GoM had said it would address all concerns of the people of Andhra Pradesh with fairness and objectivity. The GoM has already discussed the approach and methodology to be adopted by it and said it would take the opinions of stakeholders on all important subjects while formulating its recommendations.

The terms of reference for the GoM are to determine the boundaries of the new state of Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh with reference to the electoral constituencies, judicial and statutory bodies and other administrative units.

The panel will take into account the legal, financial and administrative measures that may be required for transition to a new capital of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh. It will examine the special needs of backward regions and districts of both the states and recommend measures and deal with issues relating to law and order, safety and security of all residents and ensure peace and harmony in all regions and districts consequent to the formation of Telangana and the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.

The GoM will also look into long-term internal security implications arising out of the move and make suitable recommendations. The GoM will look into the sharing of river water, irrigation resources and other natural resources (especially coal, water, oil and gas) between the two states and also inter-se with other states, including the declaration of Polavaram irrigation project as a national project.