New Delhi: Home Minister P. Chidambaram today said the Justice Srikrishna Committee on Telangana has itself rejected the first three options suggested by it as 'non-practicable'.
"The report has listed six options and for each option the committee has given pros and cons. The committee has also given its views. If you read the report carefully, you will find that the Committee itself has rejected the first three options and termed them as non-practicable. It has listed options 4,5 and 6 and also suggested the way forward," Chidambaram said.
The first option is maintaining status quo. The committee said it is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation.
On the second option of bifurcation of the state into Seemandhra and Telangana with Hyderabad as a Union Territory and the two states developing their own capitals in due course, the committee said, "There is a definite likelihood of serious backlashes in Telangana region and on overall consideration, it found this option was also not practicable."
The third option of bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and Coastal Andhra Regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana, the committee said, "This scenario is not likely to be accepted either by the pro-Telangana or by the pro-United Andhra protagonists. While this option may have economic justification, the committee believes that this option may not offer a resolution which would be acceptable to people of all three regions," it says.
Chidambaram said all political parties, groups and individuals must show adequate respect to the "labours" of the Committee. Noting that the Committee received splendid cooperation from the people of Andhra Pradesh and political parties, he said,
"The report is result of that cooperation. Therefore, the report deserves to be read carefully and with an open mind. I would urge individuals, groups and parties not to come to instant conclusion. The report deserves to be read carefully".
Chidambaram, who had today called for a meeting with all political parties of the state, said even the parties, "which I think regrettably did not attend the meeting today, showing scant respect not to me but to the Committee, I would urge them to read the report." He said he hoped the next meeting would be held later this month.
Following are options 4, 5 and 6 in detail.
4. Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Seemandhra and Telangana with enlarged Hyderabad Metropolis as a separate Union Territory. This Union Territory will have geographical linkage and contiguity via Nalgonda district in the south-east to Guntur district in coastal Andhra and via Mahaboobnagar district in the south to Kurnool district in Rayalaseema: "This is likely to receive stiff opposition from Telangana protagonists and it may be difficult to reach a political consensus in making this solution acceptable to all," it says.
5. Bifurcation of the state into Telangana and Seemandhra as per existing boundaries with Hyderabad as the capital of Telangana and Seemandhra to have a new capital: "The committee feels that this option has to be given consideration. The continuing demand for a separate Telangana has some merit and is not entirely justified.
In case this option is exercised the apprehensions of the coastal Andhra and the Rayalaseema people and others who were settled in Hyderabad and other districts of Telangana with regard to their investments, properties, livelihood and employment would need to be adequately addressed.
"Considering all aspects, the Committee felt that while creation of separate Telangana would satisfy a large majority of the people from the region, it will also throw up several serious problems.
Therefore, after taking into account of the pros and cons the committee did not think it to be most preferred, but the second best option. Separation is recommended only in case it is unavoidable and if decision can be reached amicably amongst all the three regions."
6. Keeping the state united by simultaneously providing certain definite constitutional/statuary measures for socio-economic development and political empowerment of Telangana region-creation of a statutorily-empowered Telangana Regional Council: "In this option, it is proposed to keep the state united and provide constitutional/statuary measures to address the core socio-economic concerns about the development of the Telangana region.
This can be done through the establishment of a statutorily-empowered Telangana Regional Council with adequate transfer of funds, functions and functionaries. The regional council will provide a legislative consultative mechanism for the subjects to be dealt with by the Council.
"The united Andhra option is being suggested for continuing the development momentum of the three regions and keeping in mind the national perspective. With firm political and administrative management it should be possible to convey conviction to the people that this option would be in the best interest of all and would provide satisfaction to the maximum number of the people in the state.
"It would also take care of the uncertainty over the future of Hyderabad as a bustling, educational, industrial and IT hub/destination. For management of water and irrigation resources on an equitable basis, a technical body, i.e., Water Management Board and an Irrigation Project Development Corporation in expanded role have been recommended.
The above course of action should meet all the issues raised by Telangana people satisfactorily. "The committee discussed all aspects of this option and while it acknowledges that there will be certain difficulties in its implementation, on balance, it found it the most workable option in the given circumstances and in the best interest of the social and economic welfare of the people of all the three regions.
The core issue being one of the socio-economic development and good governance, the committee keeping the national perspective in mind, is of the considered view that this option stands out as the best way forward," it says.