Government convenes all-party meeting on Telangana

NEW DELHI: An all-party meeting will be held next week to discuss various issues concerning the creation of separate Telangana, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.

The meeting is likely to be held before the November 7 meeting of the Group of Ministers, constituted to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he said.

Talking to reporters, he said, "The meeting will discuss various provisions of the terms of reference of the GoM and give suggestions."

The GoM, which has met twice, has already held discussions regarding the sharing of river waters, power, distribution of assets and demarcation of boundaries.

Headed by the Home Minister, the ministerial panel has also discussed the approach and methodology to be adopted by it.

According to the mandate, the GoM will seek opinions of stakeholders on all important issues while formulating its recommendations to the Union Cabinet.

The terms of reference for the GoM are to determine the boundaries of the new state and the residuary state with reference to electoral constituencies, judicial and statutory bodies, and other administrative units.

It will also look into the legal and administrative measures required to ensure that both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments can function efficiently from Hyderabad as their common capital for 10 years.

The panel will take into account the legal, financial and administrative measures that may be required for the transition to a new capital by the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.