Union Cabinet to consider Telangana Bill

Group of Ministers  headed by  Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde cleared the draft legislation to be placed before the Union Cabinet on 06-02-2013 to pave the way for its tabling in Parliament.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Assembly rejected the  Telangana bill.

 
A comprehensive Bill will be brought before the Union Cabinet and suggestions will be incorporated after discussions in the Cabinet.

Following the Union Cabinet's nod, the legislation will be sent to the President for his approval before being taken up by Parliament, probably next week. A special economic package with substantial additional funds for construction of a new capital for Seemandhra region will be part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill.

The move comes days after the Andhra Pradesh Assembly rejected the Telangana Bill by voice vote, capping weeks of acrimonious drama and embarrassing Congress, which favoured creation of the separate state.

Experts are of the opinion that despite the Assembly's rejection of the bill, Parliament can go ahead with its legislative process for creation of the new state.

Parliament session commences on Wednesday and is scheduled to conclude on February 21. This will be the last session before the tenure of the UPA-II comes to an end.

Meanwhile, amid uncertainty over the bill on Telangana, TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 04-Feb-2014 to press for passage of the legislation for creation of the new state and said he got an assurance on the issue.