The first meeting of the reconstituted Group of Ministers on Telangana was held in New Delhi this morning to expedite the process of creation of a separate state bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The GoM was chaired by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, V. Narayanasamy, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh are among those who attended the meeting. The GoM held discussions to assure people of Andhra Pradesh that their concerns would be addressed with fairness and objectivity. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said, the GoM on Telangana discussed basic parameters for creation of a separate state. He said, there is no time-frame for the GoM on Telangana to submit its report. A full-fledged meeting of the GoM will held on the 19th of this month as two ministers were not present at today's meeting.

The terms of reference for the GoM involve determining 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.

Legal and administrative measures required were also discussed to ensure that both the state governments can function efficiently from Hyderabad as the common capital for 10 years. The GOM also looked into the special needs of the backward regions and districts of both the states. Law and order, safety and security of all residents and ensuring peace and harmony in all regions and districts consequent to the formation of the state of Telangana were discussed in the meeting.