Srikrishna Committee submits report on Telangana

The Justice Srikrishna Committee giving a "way forward" on the separate Telangana statehood issue today gave its report to Home Minister P Chidambaram, who said government will consult all political parties before taking an "appropriate" decision.

The two-volume report, prepared by the Committee after extensive discussions with political parties and other organisations in the state over the past 11 months, was submitted a day before the Committee's term was to expire.

Soon after the submission of the report, Chidambaram told reporters that he proposed to convene a meeting of 8 recognised political parties of Andhra Pradesh on January 6.

"Immediately after the meeting, the report will be made public," he said on the report which the Committee had said will contain "several suggestions with pros and cons" on the demand for Telangana to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh by bringing 10 districts under its purview.

The highest satisfaction of the largest number will be its aim, Justice Srikrishna had said on Tuesday about the report.

"We have given the way forward. We have said what is to be done. There are many options," member secretary of the committee Vinod K Duggal, a former Union Home Secretary, said refusing to give details.

Chidambaram said the government will consider the report carefully and begin the process of consultations with all political parties before taking appropriate decisions on the report.

"That is the only way in a democracy and those who respect democracy must also respect the processes of democracy," he said.

"The report is in two volumes.  The report will be carefully studied in the Ministry of Home Affairs and will be shared with the ministries or departments concerned of the government.

The government has great faith in the wisdom, maturity and tolerance of the people of Andhra Pradesh, he said.

The Home Minister said all political parties and groups have given an assurance  that they will maintain peace, harmony and law and order.  "We welcome and believe these assurances".

He said that he has noted that there was some concern about the deployment of security forces.

"Let me assure the people of Andhra Pradesh that the deployment of security forces is a purely precautionary measure.  They will remain in the force headquarters or police stations as a reserve force."