Telangana GoM To Meet In February To Discuss T-Bill

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Telangana will meet in the first week of February, to decide the next course of action in the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, to carve out Telangana.

According to sources, the GoM, headed by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, is likely to meet on February 4.

It is probable that they might discuss recommendations to be sent to President of India Pranab Mukherjee on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013.

The meeting would be of high political significance as it would set the grounds for tabling of the Bill in the Parliament's next session, that begins from February 5.

The decision to hold the meeting on February 4 also indicates that the Centre might oppose Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's move to seek extension of the present deadline - January 30 - to discuss the Bill in the State Legislature before returning it with or without its view.

The President had initially given January 23 as a deadline to the State Legislature to discuss the Bill and return it.

However it was later extended to January 30 after the AP government sought an extension of weeks.

On Tuesday, the CM wrote a letter to the President seeking an extension of deadline but did not specify how much time was sought.

So far, only about 90 MLAs, including the Chief Minister, have expressed their views on the Bill while some others gave their opinion in writing. (INN)