AP, Tel agree to proportionately share funds of Welfare Board

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments have agreed to proportionately share funds of the erstwhile AP Construction and Other Workers Welfare Board, bringing an end to a three-year-old tussle between the twin states.
"I had spoken with my Telangana counterpart Nayini Narasimha Reddy and officials of the two states also held discussions. We have agreed to amicably resolve the three-year-old dispute. We have consented to share the Board funds in 58:42 ratio on the basis of population. This is a good development," AP's new Labour Minister Pithani Satyanarayana told reporters here this afternoon.
The Board had Rs 1463.44 crore in its account as on June 1, 2014, a day before the state's formal bifurcation.

Of the total, Rs 267.41 crore was transferred into AP's account post-bifurcation while another Rs 191.11 crore went into Telangana.
There had been a tussle between the two states over sharing of the balance Rs 1105.56 crore in the last three years.
Telangana government had registered cases against senior officials of Andhra Pradesh Labour Department alleging that they "stole" its money.

"Now, the issue has been resolved. Besides sharing of funds, the Telangana government has also agreed to withdraw cases filed against our officials. This became possible only through negotiations," Pithani said.
Of the balance Rs 1105.56 crore, AP would get Rs 639. 91 crore while the balance would go to Telangana.

"AP government is ready to amicably resolve all such contentious issues with Telangana through negotiations. We hope the neighbouring government shows the same resolve," the Labour Minister said.