The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Telangana will meet in the first week of February to decide on next course of action on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to carve out Telangana.
According to sources, the GoM, headed by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, is likely to meet on February 4. It might discuss the recommendations to be sent to President of India Pranab Mukherjee on the next course of action to be taken on Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2013. The meeting would be high political significance as it would set the grounds for tabling of Bill in the Parliament’s next session beginning from February 5.
The decision to hold the meeting on February 4 also indicates that the Centre might oppose Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s move to seek extension of deadline of January 30 to discuss in the State Legislature and return the Bill with or without its view. 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. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister wrote a letter to the President seeking extension of deadline but did not specify how much time was sought.
So far, only about 90 MLAs, including the Chief Minister, have expressed their views on the Bill while some others gave their opinion in writing. (INN)