Telangana draft Bill approved by Union Cabinet

The Union Cabinet on 5 December 2013 approved the 10 districts Telangana draft Bill. The Cabinet approved the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) set up to look into bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh for carving out a new state of Telangana.

The 29th state of India, Telengana will consist of ten districts, whereas Andhra Pradesh will have 13 districts. Hyderabad will be the common capital for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a period of 10 year.

The bill approved by the cabinet will be sent to the President, Pranab Mukherjee for making a reference to the state assembly to obtain their views. When the bill will be signed and returned by the President, it will be brought to the Parliament.

The highlights of the bill are:

• Telangana will have 10 districts and the rest of Andhra Pradesh will have 13 districts
• Hyderabad will remain the common capital for both states for a period not exceeding 10 years
• The Government of India will extend financial and other support for the creation of a new capital for the successor state of Andhra Pradesh, which will be identified by an expert committee within 45 days of the gazette notification
• A joint public service commission will be in place for the two states
• Both the states will have special status under Article 371-D of the Constitution for equitable opportunities for education and public employment
• The Governor of Telangana will be responsible for security of life, liberty and property of people, who resides in Hyderabad, the common capital area. He will be assisted by two advisors to be appointed by the Government of India
• To manage the resources and projects will on Krishna and Godavari rivers in an amicable and equitable manner will be but be the Institutional mechanism with full involvement and participation of Government of India
• Polavaram will be declared as the national project, which will be executed by the Union Government following all environmental and R&R norms
• Matters related to coal, power, oil and gas division of assets and liabilities and allocation of government employees
• The bill also states that the Government of India will assist both the states for their police forces to maintain the public order
• The admission quotas in existence, in the higher technical and medical institutions will continue for a period of five years