Creation of Telangana poses new challenges: Asif Ibrahim, Director IB

NEW DELHI: As the Government prepares a draft bill on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, country's top most intelligence official today said creation of Telangana has thrown up new challenges for security agencies in view of counter agitations on the demand.

Addressing annual conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of police from across the country, Director of Intelligence Bureau Asif Ibrahim said the demand of separate Telangana state has triggered counter agitations.

"The situation has thrown up new challenges for security agencies and intelligence agencies both at state as well as national level," he said at the conference which was inaugurated by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

In a related development, Group of Ministers (GoM), set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, will meet on November 27 to finalise its report along with the draft Telangana Bill before it is submitted to the Union Cabinet expectedly next week.

The GoM, headed by Shinde, deliberated various issues concerning the bifurcation of the state, distribution of assets between two states as well as suggestions given by various stake holders.

"We will try to push the proposal as hard as possible. We have to discuss multiple options. We are in discussions. We will bring the Bill in the Winter Session (of Parliament)," Shinde told reporters here.

The ministerial panel has expedited preparation of the final report and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, seeking to carve out a separate Telangana.

Once the Cabinet clears the proposal, it will go to the President who in turn will refer it to Andhra Pradesh Assembly for approval. However, the Assembly resolution is not binding under the Constitution.

The Union Cabinet may consider the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill and after its approval, it will be sent to the President before being tabled in Parliament.

The Winter Session of Parliament commences on December 5 and will conclude on December 20.