GoM on Telangana invites Kiran Reddy for meeting

The Group of Ministers (GoM) looking into issues related to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the creation of Telangana has invited Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy for a meeting in Delhi.

After taking the opinion of seven political parties of the state in the last two days, the GoM asked the chief minister to make himself available for a meeting Thursday.

Kiran Reddy, who is opposed to the bifurcation of the state, will meet the ministerial group at 8 p.m. Thursday.

The GoM will also meet secretaries of various ministries of the central government to discuss issues relating to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. It has invited secretaries of law, finance, railways and other departments for consultations.

The ministerial group, headed by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Monday held talks with secretaries of eight departments.

The departments have already submitted their reports after going through over 18,000 suggestions received from people, public representatives and political parties.

The GoM, which has already held three meetings, will be meeting again Nov 20. That meeting is expected to take some crucial decisions.

The panel will submit its recommendations to the central cabinet. A draft bill for the formation of a separate Telangana state is likely to be sent to Andhra Pradesh assembly by the month-end, while the bill is likely to be tabled in parliament during the winter session next month.