Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Sep 9 (IANS) Telangana protagonists may be waiting for Dec 31 to fulfil their dream of a separate state, but the Srikrishna Committee looking into the issue has virtually ruled out recommending bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The five-member panel reiterated that it would neither say yes or no to the demand for Telangana state.

Talking to reporters here Thursday, committee member secretary V.K. Duggal said they would show a range of solutions. It would be up to the central government to choose from the solutions, he added.

The committee headed by former Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna is making a tight rope walk considering the strong sentiments for both and against separate Telangana state.

“As per the mandate given to us and the terms of reference, we will endeavour to recommend optimal solutions as a way forward for resolution of the issue,” Duggal said.

The former union home secretary said it would be for the central government to take a decision on which solution it would prefer.

“We will give credible and useful recommendations. There is no reason for anyone to agitate,” said Srikrishna in an obvious reference to the comment by some groups that the committee is useless.

Claiming that the panel had almost completed its work, Srikrishna said they would submit the report to the government much before the Dec 31 deadline.

The committee members, who arrived here after a visit to Nizamabd district of Telangana region, were confident of winding up consultations with a cross section of people by September-end.

The committee, constituted in February this year following violent protests for and against separate Telangana state, has so far received 120,000 representations.

The committee visited all three regions - Telangana, Andhra and Rayalaseema.