The Union Government is expected to pacify the Seemandhra region with special financial package for its all-round development. The first meeting of GoM on Friday for the creation of Telangana State asked Ministries to work out a huge financial package to create an atmosphere of harmony in Andhra Pradesh after the proposed bifurcation.
The GoM met on a day when TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu was forcibly evicted by police from Andhra Bhavan here amid high drama and chaos, and shifted to a hospital where he continued his fast. Naidu is on indefinite fast for the last five days against decision to create Telangana. At the GoM, it was decided that the Central Government will help the Seemandhra region to build a new capital, but for next 10 years Hyderabad will remain joint capital. The GoM also decided not to make Hyderabad a Union Territory as it would create more problem in Telangana region.
“There is no point of creating UT status to Hyderabad, though it was also suggested as an option by the Srikrishna Committee,” sources said. During its deliberations, the GoM will elicit response from Ministries of Water Resources, Power, Finance, Road Transport and a few others on issues concerning division of assets, sources said. After the meeting, some Ministers clarified that there was no immediate plans to visit the troubles State. The ministerial panel will look into the sharing of river water, irrigation resources and other natural resources, especially coal, water, oil and gas, including the declaration of Polavaram Irrigation Project as a national project.
Decisions will also be taken by GoM on issues arising on account of distribution of assets, public finance, public corporations and liabilities between the two States. GoM is expected to meet again on October 19. later talking to reporters, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said the GoM will also focus on the recommendations of Justice BN Srikrishna Committee that gave an extensive report on Telangana in 2010. “Srikrishna Committee’s report will be the basis of the whole exercise,” he said.
“There is no time-frame for the GoM on Telangana to submit its report. GoM would like to assure people of Andhra Pradesh that their concerns would be addressed with fairness and objectivity. Full-fledged meeting of GoM will take place on October 19 as two Ministers were not present at Friday’s meeting,” said Ghulam Nabi Azad, another member of GoM.