Telangana, the 29th State in India

Telangana will be the 29th State in India. The Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital will have 10 districts including Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy, and Warangal.

After the UPA Coordination Committee passed a unanimous resolution in favour of Telangana, the Congress Working Committee too endorsed the proposal. However, the Congress party has adopted a long process to give final shape to Telangana.

Briefing the media after the CWC meeting, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh informed that the UPA resolution would be sent to the Union Cabinet, which is likely to meet on Wednesday for approval. The Union Cabinet will then form a Group of Ministers to finalise the modalities for Telangana formation. The GoM will also address all the issues and concerns of all three regions of Telangana, Rayalaseema and Andhra including sharing of water, electricity, revenue and others. A draft bill will be then prepared by the GoM which will be sent to the Law Ministry.

The Draft Bill will be sent to the Law Ministry for its objections and suggestions. It will be then sent to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for its opinion, although its views would not be binding on the Centre. The Assembly's resolution will be then sent to Union Home Ministry which will prepare Draft Bill to be sent to the President of India for approval. The final bill will be presented in the Parliament and it should be passed a simple majority. The President of India will then issue a notification for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Digvijay Singh said that the entire process might take about four to five months.

Further, Digvijay Singh said that Hyderabad will remain the common the capital for two States for a period of 10 years. He said that the Secretariat, Andhra Pradesh Assembly and other resources would be shared by both the States for the next 10 years.

The AICC General Secretary ruled out speculations that the formation of Telangana would lead intensify demands for smaller States. He said that demand for Telangana could not compared with other smaller States as it has been an old demand and found its mention in the first report of the State's Reorganisation Commission. He said that the Congress party was fully backing the Telangana resolution and would ensure its formation.