Power sector employees in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh have called off their indefinite strike temporarily. They have done this in view of the cyclone that is expected to hit the Bay of Bengal coast today. The power employees were on indefinite strike against the Union Cabinet's decision to create a separate Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh. Power supply is being restored to the affected areas immediately.

The strike pushed 13 coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts into total darkness. The striking teachers of the state have also called off their agitation after talks with the Chief Minister, Kiran Kumar Reddy. The teachers were on strike for the last two months protesting the bifurcation of the state. They will resume normal work from today.

The Centre has expedited the process of creation of a separate Telangana state with the announcement that the first meeting of the Group of Ministers, GoM set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh will be held today. The GoM headed by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde comprises Defence minister AK Antony, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.

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.