AP guv sought clarification on special responsibilities: Jairam Ramesh

Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan had sought clarifications on the special responsibilities given to the governor in the AP Reorganisation Act post bifurcation and the clarifications would be given soon, said Union minister Jairam Ramesh.

"The Act did not give any special powers to the governor. It gave special responsibilities in the matters of law & order, internal security and the protection of the lives and properties of Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad. The governor will act on the advise of Telangana government on these matters but he will have the final say," he said without elaborating on the nature of clarifications sought by the governor.

The minister, however, said the administrative process on the state bifurcation regarding the accommodation for the two governments in the common capital region, division of files, employees, contracts and companies would be in place before the appointed date of June 2.

He said the division of the AP high court was also expected to be completed within a few months. Responding to a question, he said the expert committee constituted to decide on the 80,000-odd state level employees would give utmost importance to the views of the employee associations.

According to the minister, contracts of various nature valued at Rs 1.88 lakh crore are under implementation in the Telangana region while the contracts valued at Rs 97,000 crore are being executed in the residuary Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana and the residuary AP state will have to pay Rs 500 crore and Rs 700 crore a month towards pensions of the government pensioners from June onwards, according to him.