Don't extend deadline on Telangana bill, president told

Ministers and legislators from Telangana have urged President Pranab Mukherjee not to extend the deadline for a debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013 in the assembly.

In a letter to the president, the ministers opposed the demand by the Andhra Pradesh government to give four more weeks to the assembly for the debate.

The deadline to debate the bill and for the house to send its opinion to the president ends Jan 23. Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty has written to the union home ministry seeking an extension by four weeks.

The ministers and Congress party legislators from Telangana wrote to the president that the time given by him for the debate was enough and there was no need for any extension.

They said more time for debate could create doubts among the people of Telangana that the process for formation of a separate state would come to a halt.

They also sought an appointment with the president.

Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party legislators from Telangana also wrote to the president urging him not to extend the deadline for the debate on the bill.

E. Dayakar Rao and other lawmakers urged him to ensure that the assembly completes the debate and sends back the bill with its opinion by Jan 23.

In New Delhi, Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP G. Vivek submitted a letter to Mukherjee opposing the government's demand for more time to debate the bill.

Communist Party of India state secretary K. Narayana has also opposed any extension.