The Srikrishna committee report has given six options on the demands for Telangana statehood and united Andhra. It has however suggested that a united Andhra Pradesh with certain definite constitutional or statutory measures for socio economic development and political empowerment of the Telangana region is the best option. It says that it is the most workable option in the given circumstances and is the best interest of socio economic welfare of the people of all the three regions. The Committee says the second best way to address the issue is to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh into Seema Andhra and Telangana as per the existing boundaries with Hyderabad as capital of Telangana and a new capital for Seema Andhra. It also says that a continuing demand for a separate Telangana has some merit and is not entirely unjustified. The other options put forward by the Committee includes bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seem Andhra and Telangana with Hyderabad as a union territory and the two states developing their own capitals in due course of time. Another option is bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra region with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala Telangana. Another option is bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seem Andhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad metropolis as a separate Union Territory. The Committee itself unanimously agreed that the option to maintain the status quo would not be a practical approach.The report which was made public today after a meeting convened by the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram. The representatives of all the five political parties who attended the meeting said that they will consider the report within their respective parties and agreed with the suggestion of Home Minister to meet again later this month. They also appealed for maintaining peace and law and order in Andhra Pradesh.Earlier in his opening remarks the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram urged the political parties to study the recommendations carefully and in detail with an open mind. Home Minister called upon them to be prepared to pursue or to be pursued by people who hold another point of view. Regretting that some political parties from the state are not attending the meeting Mr. Chidambaram said that they are doing scant justice to the valuable work done by Srikrishna Committee. Eight political parties were invited for the discussions.The TRS, the TDP and the BJP representatives did not attend today's meet.In the 461 pages report, the Committee examined in great details issues relating to the historical background of Andhra Pradesh regional, economic, education, health, water resources, employment and matters relating to Hyderabad Metropolis and Sociological and cultural issues.The Srikrishna committee was set up in February last year and had submitted its report on the 30th December. AIR Correspondent says that the Committee itself has described four of the six options as either impractical, or may invite backlash or may not be acceptable to all the three regions.
News On AIR | January 6, 2011 2:16 PM
Srikrishna Committee favours united AP; recommends six options on Telangana issue