28.11.13

Of the GoM's report on T....

After hectic marathon consultations, the Group of Ministers (GoM) more or less finalized its report on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh after addressing the key issues of status of Hyderabad, sharing of assets and water as well as police strength.
“The report is ready. Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde has been authorised to give the final touches after which it will be approved by the GoM on Thursday,” said sources but added that the report will not figure in the Union cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday as Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is away electioneering in Rajasthan. The report is likely to be submitted to the cabinet next week.
Earlier, Shinde told the media while leaving the meeting half-way that some discussions were still to be completed and that he was not sure when the report would be submitted to the cabinet. However, it emerged after the other GoM members finished their deliberations late in the night that most of the contentious issues were resolved. Shinde too confirmed to the media that the report will not figure in Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
The GoM meeting that took place at North Block on Wednesday afternoon was the culmination of hectic consultations with various groups by the ministers earlier in the day. It began with GoM member Jairam Ramesh holding consultations with Seemandhra Union ministers, which according to the sources, focused mainly on the status of Hyderabad including the demand for granting it Union Territory status.
After taking in the opinions of the Seemandhra leaders, top Congress leaders confabulated at the residence of defence minister A K Antony in which Jairam Ramesh, M Veerappa Moily, P Chidambaram, V Narayana Swamy and Digvijay Singh apart from Antony were present. “At this meeting, the major concerns of the Seemandhra leaders over the bifurcation as well as the stand of the various political parties on various issues arising out of the bifurcation were discussed,” said the sources. Later, Seemandhra Union ministers called on finance minister P Chidambaram and discussed the financial package for their region.
The GoM meeting began at 3.00 pm and lasted about four hours. Interestingly, apart from all the GOM members except Azad, AP chief secretary P K Mohanty, Union home ministry security advisor K Vijay Kumar and senior officials from power, personnel, home and water resources were present at the meeting.
According to sources, the as was being demanded by the Seemandhra Congress leaders. “The possibility of a council under the direct command of the Centre and having control over law and order and revenue is being worked out,” said the sources and added that the jurisdiction of the joint capital will most likely extend to the GHMC limits.

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