New Delhi: The Union home ministry has sent the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill 2013 to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.
The bill for the formation of Telangana will now be referred to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for its comments before it can be introduced in Parliament.
It is the prerogative of the President to give a reasonable time-frame to the state Assembly. This could be between 10-40 days, senior MHA officials said.
Formally setting in motion the process for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared the proposal to grant statehood for Telangana with 10 districts — Adilabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad, Warangal, Rangareddy, Nalgonda, Mahbubnagar, Khammam and Hyderabad — while the successor state of Andhra Pradesh will have the remaining 13 districts — Srikakulam, Vizianag-aram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakas-am, Potti Sriramulu Nel-lore, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor and YSR Kadapa.
The necessary provisions have been made in the bill for the amendment of the Article 371 D to ensure continuity in provision of equitable opportunities and facilities in public employment and higher education in different areas of both the states.
The bill provides for making Hyderabad the common capital of both states. It says, “Hyderabad to the extent of the current territorial limits of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation will be the common capital for both the states for a period not exceeding 10 years.
There will be a common governor for both the states. The governor shall have a special responsibility for the security of life, liberty and property of all those who reside in the area.”
Accodring to the bill, the Governor will also be responsible for matters relating to law and order, internal security and security of vital installations.
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He will discharge the special responsibilities relating to the above subjects in consultation with the Council Ministers of Telangana but would not be bound by their advice alone.
The Governor will be assisted by two Advisors of appropriate rank to be appointed by the Central Government. The Governor will also be responsible for the management and allocation of Government accommodation in this area.
The Central Government will constitute an Expert Committee to study various alternatives for a new capital city for the successor State of Andhra Pradesh.
The Central Government will also provide a special financial package for the creation of administrative infrastructure to setup the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh, says the bill.
