 "Why Congress pricks Srikrishna Committee Telangana report")
Pure common sense suggests that a separate state is not necessarily the best way to handle the problem of deprivation. Although the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was not in favour of partition of Andhra Pradesh, the options were limited as two of the main players — the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) — were unwilling to play ball with the Congress.
The Manmohan Singh-led government as well as the Congress Working Committee’s (CWC) decision is certainly not guided by love for the people of Telangana. It is purely out of political compulsion aimed at lifting the sagging morale of the party in the state. The 10 districts of Telangana will form the new state, while the remaining Andhra and Rayalaseema regions will together constitute Seemandhra.
Hyderabad will be the common capital for the two states for 10 years, by which time Seemandhra is expected to build a new capital located within its geographical boundaries. For the moment, the proposal to include two districts of Rayalaseema in Telangana has been put in cold storage.
Hyderabad will be the common capital for the two states for 10 years, by which time Seemandhra is expected to build a new capital located within its geographical boundaries. For the moment, the proposal to include two districts of Rayalaseema in Telangana has been put in cold storage.
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Creation of a separate Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital and keeping Andhra Pradesh united with constitutional and statutory measures for empowerment of Telangana region were among the six choices recommended by the Justice Srikrishna Committee.
In the fourth option, the committee recommended partition of Andhra Pradesh into two units -- Telangana and Seemandhra -- as per existing boundaries. Telangana will have Hyderabad as its capital, while Seemandhra, comprising Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions, will have a new capital.
The mere existence of an agitation for a separate state cannot serve as the justification for either the granting of statehood or the creation of a regional council.
In the option for keeping Andhra united, the report -- in its sixth option -- suggested the government to form a statutorily empowered TRC as well as honour the 1956 Gentlemen's Agreement regarding giving adequate political space to the Telangana region by way of posts in the cabinet as well as that of the chief minister or the deputy chief minister.
Telangana leaders, including Congress Members of Parliament from the region, pointed out loopholes in the report. For instance, it suggested the creation of a statutorily empowered TRC. How this would be different from a similar regional development committee that was tried earlier and had failed was not clear.
Telangana leaders, including Congress Members of Parliament from the region, pointed out loopholes in the report. For instance, it suggested the creation of a statutorily empowered TRC. How this would be different from a similar regional development committee that was tried earlier and had failed was not clear.
The committee also suggested maintaining a status quo with a rider that it is the least favoured option.
There is one school of thought that argues that Srikrishna Committee did not clarify anything.
The report also mentioned that accepting a separate Telangana state would have serious implications outside Andhra Pradesh, giving a fillip to similar demands such as Gorkhaland in West Bengal, Bodoland in Assam, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Bundelkhand, Poorvanchal and Harit Pradesh in Uttar Pradesh, and Ladakh and Jammu in J&K. The committee said it had examined the functioning of Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and found them to be a "study in contrast" as the latter two states had not made the cut.
To examine the situation arising out of the demand for Telangana, the home ministry formed a panel in February 2010, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Bellur Narayanaswamy Srikrishna who earned laurels for the inquiry into the Mumbai riots of 1992-93.
Business Standard re-examines the options and explanation given by the committee
. Maintaining Status Quo: “The committee is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation. Some intervention is definitely required and though maintaining the existing status quo is an option, it is favoured the least.”
. Maintaining Status Quo: “The committee is of the unanimous view that it would not be a practical approach to simply maintain the status quo in respect of the situation. Some intervention is definitely required and though maintaining the existing status quo is an option, it is favoured the least.”
. 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: "There is a definite likelihood of serious backlashes in Telangana region and on overall consideration, the Committee found this option was also not practicable."
. Bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and Coastal Andhra Regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana: "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.”
. 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.
. 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 unjustified. In case 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."
. 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.