(Image source from: Cabinet Note Explaining Decision on Telangana Statehood)
The following points are mentioned Cabinet Note supporting the decision on separate Telangana Statehood:
Telangana people have been demanding for long for a separate State for them. Violence erupted in the three regions Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema during the period from 1963 to 1973. Although it subsided due to political understanding through 6 point formula in 1973, the desire to have their own State has been going as under current among the people of Telangana.
During 2004, the UPA Government declared in their election manifesto that the Government will look in to the matter of separate Statehood for Telangana at an appropriate time with due deliberations and consultations. From then onwards the Telangana movement took momentum and has been continuing since that time.
When the Government of India announced on 9th December 2009 that the process to bifurcate the State of AP is started then the burst of protests were seen in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra. Taking the law and order situation in the State, the announcement was made on 23rd December that a decision will not be taken until all parties come to an agreement for it. Then again protests started in Telangana region. On 6th January 2010 the Home Minister requested for peace and law and order in the State.
Then, in order to consult all parties of all the regions in the State, the Home Ministry appointed Srikrishna Committee consisting of 5 sitting judges. The Committee submitted its report on 30th December 2010 indicating 6 alternatives to deal with the situation.
The Home Minister held a special meeting on 6th January 2011 calling all prominent leaders of the Assembly and asked for their opinion on the issue. Another round of meeting was held with leaders of all the parties in the State on 28th Decemeber 2012 in which all the parties expressed their view that the Srikrishna Committee’s report may be considered.
Extensive meetings for 3 years went on with civic bodies. All the possible repercussions favorable and unfavorable if the State is divided were discussed at length. The demands came up for the measures to be taken for the protection of the interests of the people of Rayalaseema and Andhra regions.
For addressing those demands the following points are to be considered by the Government of India.
1. Sharing of waters, electricity distribution and security to the people of all three regions. Administrative machinery will be appointed to look after the demands of the people of Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra with a time bound program.
2. After the formation of Telangana Hyderabad will be the common capital for both the States. During that period both the States will run their respective administrative activities effectively from Hyderabad.
3. Total cooperation to build a new capital city for the State remaining after Telangana is carved out.
4. Polavaram project will be declared as a National Project and funds will be arranged for completing it.
5. Identifying of backward regions in the State of Andhra Pradesh and to allocate funds for the development of those areas.
6. Assisting the two states in maintaining law and order situation in the states.
The Cabinet note that was introduced by the Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Thursday in the Cabinet meeting that was held in the residence of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that started at 5.30 pm and concluded at 7.30 pm gave the above explanation about the decision of the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
-SriJa
