GoM on Telangana to meet in first week of February

The GoM on Telangana will meet in the first week of February to decide on Centre's next course of action after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy sought extension of the deadline for discussing and returning the statehood Bill.

The GoM, set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, is likely to meet on February 4 to articulate the government's view for recommending to President Pranab Mukherjee the next course of action, official sources said.

The GoM is headed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

The move comes after the Chief Minister yesterday wrote to the President seeking extension of the January 30 deadline during which the Andhra Pradesh Assembly will have to discuss and return the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill to the Central government with or without its view.

However, experts are of the opinion that whatever the Assembly does, Parliament can go ahead with its legislative process for creation of the new state.

The President initially gave time till January 23 to the state Legislature to discuss the Bill and return it but subsequently extended the deadline till January 30 after the Andhra Pradesh government sought four weeks extension.

Yesterday, Reddy has said he has written the letter to the President but did not specify how much time was sought. But, sources close to him said an additional three weeks were sought by the state government.

Reddy's move came after the Seemandhra ministers and MLAs at a meeting with him decided to seek additional time citing frequent disruptions in the Assembly.