Bowing to protests from both the Telangana and Rayalaseema regions, the Centre has decided to stick to its original plan of a new State with 10 districts and drop the proposal for a Rayala-Telangana State with 12 districts.

The Union Cabinet on Thursday decided to send a Bill for bifurcation of the State to President Pranab Mukherjee. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said the Centre wants the Bill tabled during the ongoing Winter session of Parliament.

He added that Hyderabad would be the common capital of both States for a period not exceeding 10 years.

The Centre would provide special status to both States under Article 371 D of the Constitution, for equitable opportunities, he said.

The Government had denied reports that two more districts would be added to the new State. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti had organised a bandh against this in the region on Thursday.

The President’s Office will now send the Bill for the Andhra Pradesh Assembly’s consideration. The Centre, however, can table the Bill in Parliament before the Assembly considers it.

BJP demand The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded that the Centre table the Bill immediately.

However, it will be difficult for the Centre to pass the Bill in this session as the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by the BJP’s Venkaiah Naidu, may discuss the legislation as there are differences of opinion among parties over it.

Congress sources, however, expressed confidence that the differences would be sorted out and that the Bill will be passed in Parliament soon.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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